The only time I've seen a shifter that wouldn't come out with some persuasion using a lady-slipper type pry bar was one that had actually split the side of the shifter slug where the pin bore is. when it split, it mushroomed the bottom of the shifter and wouldn't it allow come out of the bore. It took some tinkering to get the spool out of the transmission so that I could get to the bottom of the shift slug and grind off the piece hanging it up. It's a good idea to check the shifters for any sign of cracks right at the pin bore to make sure there's no sign of cracks forming.
Stuck in the seventies- not in the swamp.
(6) Attex, a Hustler, a Super Swamp Fox, (2) Tricarts, (3) Tri-sports, a Sno-co trike, 3 Dunecycles, and a Starcraft! ...so far