Gunner Shifflet

Gunner Lane Shifflet was born October 9, 2003 at 2:31 pm in the Great Plains Hospital, North Platte, Nebraska.

Gunner entered heaven to be with our Lord and Savior, Sunday morning, August 9, 2026, at his home near Cambridge, Nebraska. In between those two dates, Gunner said he lived a full life although incredibly too short.

Gunner was born with a rare genetic syndrome, Ehlers Danlos. Gunner was not diagnosed until he was 13 and his family was grateful to have those years of believing he was a healthy child.

There were many flags though once they knew.

Gunner was even happy to finally know why he ‘didn’t feel normal’- not knowing how else to say it. Symptoms of his entire life made sense after the official diagnosis from Children’s, where he became a regular for several years. Gunner had a severe form of the syndrome with many, many of its symptoms.

Gunner lived with chronic pain, chronic fatigue, arthritis and fibromyalgia as just a few ‘smaller’ of his symptoms. Gunner’s body was completely limber and broken down, with joints popping out of place even as an elementary student, keeping him up all night working them back in place in attempts to sleep. In recent years, doctors said his body was aged to that of a 55+ year old. There just was no way to cure any of it.

Gunner had one of the very most painful surgeries in high school to fix his pectus excavatum. A large bar was inserted in his chest walls from side to side for three years to expand his chest back out so he could breathe.

Gunner had many other surgeries for numerous symptoms his entire life.

In the last few years, his gastric symptoms prevailed. Gunner was accepted into the Mayo Clinic over the course of this year and the trip was planned to start October 6th to Minnesota to see all the specialists in every aspect of Ehlers Danlos, with gastric being primary. Ehlers Danlos completely consumed Gunner.

At age two, Gunner discovered Thomas Train. Thomas was his love until age 10 when he packed them up to keep because ‘he was getting too old to be seen with them’. We played the game of listing off all the Thomas characters as we worked on the farm. Gunner was always so excited to visit his Granny Franny in southern Missouri when he was young. The summer visits were ‘Gunner and the Girls’ camp. The five young cousins had so much fun!! Birthdays were HUGE for Gunner~~~ Gunner declared October the BEST month for his birthday and Halloween!! Granny Franny visited him every birthday and helped with his parties in all the ways. Gunner loved to build- starting with his Thomas Train track systems, then Legos, cardboard clubhouses, mazes of all kinds, dirt piles, irrigation systems to water the garden and this year he built mazes in the garage for his kitties to play in at night.

Gunner enjoyed collecting deer sheds, hatchets and his ‘old rusty things’. Gunner loved genealogy.

A true passion of his was watching movies – and then deeply critiquing every single detail about them. Gunner studied movie making. Gunner was an excellent writer and wanted to write a movie- maybe he has some started.

Gunner started his formal education at Kasi Horwart’s Fingerprints Preschool, which he loved! Gunner attended Cambridge Public School from kindergarten through his 2022 Graduation. Gunner then attended McCook Community College majoring in English, earning his Associates degree with summa cum laude honors, May 8, 2025.

Gunner enjoyed 4H, especially showing his bunny, Chippy at the fair. In high school he was a member of the FFA. Gunner and dear friends Gavin Wasson and Quintin Shaner – had a sweet corn project together for FFA. We all enjoyed those times working together! Gunner was thrilled to start a Chess Club at CHS with his chess playing friends! The Squishy Club friends played video games together, hooping it up, tearing the house down, eating pizza and running around like wild ones!!

His family loved every single second.

Gunner worked on the family farm his entire life doing what he could.

When he was younger, his health allowed more opportunities there than when his syndrome progressed. Gunner’s Dad told him and will tell anyone- Gunner was his best grain cart operator ever!! Gunner was so very particular about every task he took on, down to the details. Gunner wasn’t properly trained by either of parents in organizing or cleaning – but his entire life kept his own room clean and neat.

Gunner was so very intelligent, had a super quick wit, soft heart and tender soul. Gunner did not like to put anyone out of their way for him.

Gunner truly loved all his people and critters!!

Gunner’s first dog, Gus, will be buried with him.

He so deeply loved his dog, Jersey from the moment he took his first little doggie breath!! The first month of Jersey’s life – he stayed up ALL night every night to be sure the puppies were being fed and cared for properly by their mother. Gunner’s kitties are in mourning for him in addition to all of us – Chemik, Tiger Bob, Jasper and Gorpus.

Gunner was preceded in death by his Grandma Elma Shifflet; Grandpa Raymond Shifflet; Great-Aunt ‘Coie’ Claudine Shifflet; Grandma Corinne Diller; Grandpa Kenneth Diller; Cousin Suzanne Herr; Great-Grandpa Robert Riegle; Great-Grandma Jenis Riegle; Step-Grandma Linda Riegle; and his Grand-Papa Max Dunn.

Gunner’s dear pets- his first dog Gus, his first kitty Killer and his last lost kitty Peaches.

Gunner is survived by his Parents Burnell and Michelle Shifflet; Brother Tyler and Wendy Shifflet; Brother Coleton and Mandy Shifflet; Nieces Brooklyn Shifflet, Gracie Shifflet and Ruby Shifflet; Nephews Ryker Shifflet and Slade Shifflet; Uncle Kim and Kris Shifflet; Cousin Spencer and Katie Shifflet – Konnor, Kaden, Kyleigh, Raelynn and Sawyer; Cousin Chase and Tira Shifflet – Finley, Colt and Hazyl; Cousin Lance and Lisa Shifflet – Annsley, Madisyn, Holdyn and Brekkyn; Granny Franny (Hammy Jammy), Francine and Pat Robertson; Aunt Vicki and Brian Ford; Aunt Tracy and Randy Metcalf; Uncle Clint and Jenni Riegle; ‘Gunner and the Girls’ cousin crew of five of Lauren Schafer (and Sam – Macoy), Morgan Ford, Special Cousin Mileah Metcalf and Ellah Metcalf. Additional cousins include Lucas Metcalf, Hannah and Ben Wilburn – Adaline, Ivory, Scarlett and Bennett, Kenzie and Cody Todd – McKinley, Colbie and Courtland, Sammy Hall – Isaiah, Garett and Devyn Riegle – Charlotte and Paisley. Ohio aunts and uncles are Aunt Dena and Gary Herr; Aunt Dar Leshnock; Aunt Kathy and Dave Brauen; and Uncle Marty and Becky Diller, with their children and grandchildren. Gunner is also survived by his Grandpa Terry Riegle; Aunt Judy Volkening; Uncle Ron and Ann Riegle, and their children and grandchildren. The Dunn family mourns Gunner’s loss in Missouri. Also mourning his loss his ‘Sister’ Megan and Dawson Welch – Lane, Jett and Rudy; ‘Aunt’ Jeanie; Dog, Jersey and Kitties, Chemik, Tiger Bob, Jasper and Gorpus. Gunner is so deeply loved and forever missed.

Visitation was held on Friday, August 14, 2026, from 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM at Lockenour-Jones Mortuary in Cambridge.

Gunner’s family will be present to greet friends from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Funeral services were scheduled for 10:30 AM on Saturday morning, August 15, 2026, at Trinity Community Church in Cambridge. Burial in the Fairview Cemetery in Cambridge where Gunner played from birth until the age of five years old considering it his own personal playground with the best dirt mountain. Lunch will be served at the Cambridge Congregational Church after the burial.

Memorials in Gunner’s name are suggested to the research of Ehlers Danlos Syndrome.

Online condolences may be left at lockenour.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Lockenour-Jones Mortuary of Cambridge.

Gunner – we love you so much. We will meet you in heaven with our Lord one glorious day!!!