Douglas Eli (Butch) Shepherd

February 24, 1943 – April 27, 2026

Douglas Eli (Butch) Shepherd, 83 of Lancaster, Missouri passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.

The son of Eugene Early, Jr.  and Velma Ruth (Gingerich) Shepherd, he was born on February 24, 1943 in Chicago, Illinois.  He attended and graduated from Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Missouri.  Following his graduation, he entered the United States Army on October 17, 1961 and received an honorable discharge on October 3, 1964.  After returning from the service, Doug held several different jobs which included setting bowling pins at a bowling alley in Chicago, Illinois, working for Southwestern Bell collecting change from pay phones and then moving to California in 1964 until 1967 working for Zero Manufacturing where he made aluminum cases.  In June 1973, he began working for John Deere in Ottumwa, Iowa as a Press Brake Operator and continued working there for 30 years until 2003 when he retired.

Doug was united in marriage to Cathy (Figge) Johns and Dennis Shepherd on May 6, 1978 at New Hope Church, south of Lancaster, Missouri and to this union two children were born, Brent and Lerin and later welcomed Ted Kubinski.  Doug later was united in marriage to Lisa Sue (Anderson) Tallman on July 2, 2006 at the Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri.

Doug is survived by his wife, Lisa Shepherd of Lancaster, Missouri; children, Dennis Shepherd and girlfriend, Bridgett White of Milan, Missouri, Lerin Prince and husband, Mason of Parker, Colorado, Brent Shepherd and wife, Cybil of Golden, Colorado, Trenton Tallman and wife, Erin of Downing, Missouri, Trinity Sowers and husband, Travis of Brunswick, Missouri and Austin Tallman and wife, Kellen of Platte City, Missouri; 17 grandchildren, Mackenzie and Danika Shepherd, Teddy Shepherd, Luke and Eli Prince, Charlotte, Weston, Zane and Georgia Tallman, Cooper and Cameran Tallman, Casey Starrett, Jace Miller, Vernon and Ivan Sowers, Allyson Barbour and Sydney Buckallew ; 1 great granddaughter, Maysen Moss and one great grandchild on the way; one sister, Tamara Gore of Lancaster, Missouri; his father-in-law, Paul Anderson of Queen City, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews; special family friend, Colleen Allen of Kirksville, Missouri; other family members and many good friends.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Rosemary Weldon and husband, Earl; three brothers, Ronald Shepherd and wife, Helen, William Michael Shepherd and one in infancy, Donald Dean Shepherd; one son, Ted Kubinski; one brother-in-law, Thomas Gore and his mother-in-law, Doris Anderson.

Doug was an active member and deacon of the Lancaster Christian Church for many years.

Doug enjoyed being with family and especially spending time with the grandchildren watching them grow in whatever activity they were involved in. Doug was an avid sports enthusiast for all sports and enjoyed playing golf and following the Mizzou Tigers and Kansas City Chiefs until 2031!!

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Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lancaster Christian Church in Lancaster, Missouri with Brad Drummond of Lancaster, Missouri officiating.  Music will be special selections of "Didn't Have To Be", "It Is Well" and "Because He Lives".  Pallbearers will be Scott Cooper, Brian Cooper, Jaime Cates, Mason Prince, Travis Sowers and Trenton Tallman.  Honorary pallbearers will be Justin Cooper, Clayton Gore, Austin Tallman and Kurt Cottey.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2026 at the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Memorials have been established for the Lancaster Christian Church.  Online condolences may be expressed to the family by logging on to normanfh.com.  Burial will be in the Arni Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, Missouri.  Military rites will be conducted by the Schuyler County American Legion Post 784.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Norman Funeral Home in Lancaster, Missouri.