A funeral service for David R. Shapland will be held on Monday, August 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska, with Pastor George Probasco, Chaplain DeWane Dow, and Pastor Brad Perry officiating. Interment will follow at the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege.
David Richard Shapland, 77 years of age, of Holdrege, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Phelps Memorial Health Center in Holdrege. David was born in York, Nebraska, on July 13, 1949, the eldest of two children, born to Richard and Dorothy (Snell) Shapland.
In December of 1950, at the age of 18 months, he was stricken with meningitis that destroyed the left half of his brain. He lived in Dayton, Ohio from 1951 to 1955 while Richard was in Seminary. He then moved to West Point, Nebraska, where David received some services through the University of Nebraska. In 1957, he started living at the Beatrice State Home. During the next 21 years, he received good care and made some progress in learning to live with his disability.
Federal Court action made a dramatic change in the services the state offered for those with illnesses like David’s. He was moved to the Ord-Burwell community program in 1978. In 1982, there was an opportunity to get into the program in Bethphage in Axtell, and in 1986, he was transferred to the Bethphage program in Holdrege.
David enjoyed puzzles, fishing, joking with friends, and riding his bike. He liked to play games on his tablet, especially bowling. David was active in the Methodist Church at Holdrege.
He was preceded in death by his dad, Richard Shapland; and his brother, Donald Shapland.
David is survived by his mother, Dorothy Shapland; special friends: Jane Halmes and Neal Coyle of McCook; and many friends.
There will be no visitation the evening prior to the service.
A memorial has been established in David’s honor, and kindly suggested to Holdrege Memorial Homes.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com
The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.
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