Steven ‘Steve’ Robert Shinners

Steven "Steve" Robert Shinners passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness at the age of 65 on Sept. 6, 2016, in Billings.

Steve was born in Milwaukee, Wis., on June 15, 1951. He was a 1969 graduate of Brookfield East High School, Brookfield, Wis., and went on to attend Mankato College in Mankato, Minn., where he obtained a bachelor's degree in business before embarking on a long and distinguished career in the Pavement Marking Industry. In 1979, Steve joined Prismo, Inc. in Parsippany, N.J., remaining with them for 24 years as they transitioned into Linear Dynamics Inc. (LDI) and then to LaFarge Road Markings.

In 2003, Steve moved west to Billings to join his friends at Mark Rite Lines Equipment Company as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Steve's exceptional talents and substantial industry presence assisted MRL to achieve ever-increasing market penetration and sales volumes. Steve thoroughly enjoyed meeting with customers and they loved meeting with him. He traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, promoting MRL. Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Mexico City, Istanbul, Seoul, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Beijing, Riyadh and Buenos Aires name just a few of his many stops around the globe. He considered highway safety a serious challenge and worked tirelessly for improvements in this arena. There are very few in the pavement marking industry who have not learned from or been assisted by Steve, and his influence in both private industry and government agencies will be felt for many years to come. In 2013, Steve was awarded the well-deserved Mark of Excellence Award by the American Traffic Safety Services Association.

Steve loved all traveling, loved entertaining customers and friends alike, and loved rooting for his beloved Packers. Tiny's Tavern was a favorite watering hole on a Packers game day. Steve was a great patriot, being the proud son of a father who served in WWII, and took his parents on a special trip to visit Normandy Beach. He enjoyed bragging about his three stepsons: John Davids (Phoenix, Ariz.), Mark Davids (Union, Ill.) and Jim Davids (Crystal Lake, Ill.), arranging to see them when he could. Spending time with his granddaughters was very satisfying for Steve, and he became the Premier Pancake Maker for them. He taught them how to ride a bike, ski, and took them on many special trips, including Disneyland. Steve had a very infectious laugh and, overall, his wonderful personality and sense of humor was only exceeded by his generosity. His yellow lab, Max was a frequent traveling companion.

Steve is survived by his loving wife, Joan Daly Shinners; his stepdaughter, Caitlyn Miars; and two granddaughters, Kyrie and Avalyn. Steve was a loving son, and is survived by his mother, Nancy Shinners (New Berlin, Wis.); his sister, Kathy Lorenz (Elm Grove, Wis.); and his niece Amy (Robert) Rodriguez (Gurnee, Ill.). Steve was preceded in death by his father, John "Jack" Shinners and brother John Shinners.

A celebration of Steve's life will be at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, at the Northern Hotel, South Ballroom in Billings.

Steve was passionate about helping kids in every way. Donations in Steve's Honor can be made to The Family Tree Center to Prevent Child Abuse of Billings, MT. Donations can be made online at familytreecenterbillings.org.