PVT Shaner entered the Army February 3, 1942 completing engineer training at Camp Leonard Wood, Missouri, then being assigned to the 711th Engineer (railway operating) Battalion at Camp Polk, Louisiana.

On August 2, 1942, while working as a member of a train crew on top of a coal tender, Elvin fell between two cars and was killed instantly.  The accident occurred four miles North of Camp Polk where he was stationed.  He was buried in Roselawn Cemetery, Pueblo Colorado,  August 6, 1942.