Joel E. Shaw

Joel E Shaw
September 29, 1956 - May 25, 2026


Joel E Shaw was born September 29, 1956, to Donald E Shaw and Verna (Jones) Shaw, in Moline, Illinois. He was the oldest of five siblings, and grew up in rural Geneseo, Illinois. When he wasn’t doing chores on the farm, he was the class clown of Geneseo High, 1974, and participated in track and field, choir, and wrestling. At the urging of a good friend and seeking a job in the transportation industry, Joel moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1982, where he met school teacher Carol Lee Neth and became a Husker fan for life. Carol and Joel were married on March 17, 1984, and welcomed children Meredith, Jordan, and Taylor soon after.

A dedicated father, Joel was his kids’ biggest fan. Wrestling meets, softball tournaments, swim team events, choir concerts—he was happy to be the taxi and cheering section. He spent countless nights by Jordan’s side during hospital stays, fine tuned many Pinewood Derby creations, and schooled them all at Putt-Putt. Always happy for a baby fix, Joel was thrilled to be Grandpa to his six grandchildren.

Joel worked for decades as a truck dispatcher in the Omaha area, and did similar work at Midlands Carrier Transicold, retiring in 2021. He was always quick with a joke, could make friends with anyone, and had the best stories from life in the trucking world.

In his earlier years, Joel was an avid golfer, playing in leagues, teaching his kids, and competing in the Omaha World Herald Publinks tournaments in the ‘80s and '90s, winning the ninth flight in 1998. When he wasn’t watching the Golf Channel or a scary movie, Joel would catch any and all Husker sports on TV. He loved a road trip and cherished times back home in Illinois visiting family and friends.

Joel found ways to serve neighbors and friends, his Masonic lodge, and his church at different times over the years, but the most constant presence in his life was his late wife Carol. For four decades they supported each other with humor and love, through career changes, parenting, health challenges, tragedies and victories, until he laid her to rest in 2023. Simple joys like planting flowers, estate sale hunting, or getting pie at Village Inn were some of their favorite pastimes. Their commitment to each other and the family they built will be their lasting legacy.

Joel was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Neth Shaw, parents Don & Verna Shaw and sister Joni Beck of Geneseo, Illinois. He is survived by his children, Meredith (Jared) Garwood, Jordan Shaw, and Taylor (Steve) Eliason, grandchildren Joel, Jonah, Gabriel, & Levi Garwood, and Ryker & Logan Eliason, Sisters Jill (Marty) DePauw, Judi (John) Heller, Julie (Steve) Bosold, and brother-in-law Howard Beck of Illinois, in-laws Barb (Gary) Waller, R. Keith Neth Jr., and Kellie Humiston Neth of Omaha, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.


In lieu of flowers, Joel would want you to consider the gift of organ donation. Become a donor, or support the local donor network through Live On Nebraska. liveonnebraska.org/give



Family will receive visitors on Sunday, May 31st at 1:00 pm, with a time of remembrance to follow at 2:00. Braman Mortuary 6505 S. 144th St.