John R. “Jack” Shelby, 83, of Saint Marys, died 1:30 P.M. Saturday, November 7, 2009, at the Heritage Manor Nursing Home in Minster, where he had resided for the last five years. He had previously lived in Kendallville, Indiana.

He was born December 11, 1925, in Saint Marys, the son of Wilbur “Dad” and Mary (Hurm) Shelby. They preceded him in death.

He is survived by two sister’s in law: Betty Shelby Mears of Saint Marys; Dorothy Shelby of Fort Myers, Florida; by his nieces and nephews: Mike (Rosie) Shelby of Saint Marys; Bob (Theresa) Shelby Garner of Tucson, Arizona; Joe (Peg) Shelby Eilerman of New Bremen; Pat and Shelia Shelby of New Albany, Ohio; Larry (Chris) Shelby Steinke of Saint Marys; Jim (Connie) Shelby Miller of Geneva, Indiana; Mark (Donna) Shelby of New Knoxville; Don (Cheryl) Shelby Stahler of Wapakoneta; Ron (Judy) Shelby Miller of Fort Myers, Florida; Ted Shelby of Mendon; Lynn Shelby Montero of Miami, Florida; by numerous great nieces and nephews and numerous great-great- nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers: Tom, Jim and Ned Shelby.

Jack retired from the Flint and Walling Company in Kendallville, Indiana, where he had been a machinist for 33 years. He was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys and the Holy Name Society of the church. He was a member of the AFL-CIO and the Elks Club in Kendallville. He loved to travel, especially to Disney World and Las Vegas. He enjoyed collecting memorabilia from local industries and he was a fan of Saint Marys Roughrider sports teams.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, November 11, 2009, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Saint Marys, the Reverend Anthony Cutcher, celebrant. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery.
Friends may call from 9:30-10:30 A.M. Wednesday at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, where memorial donations may be directed to the Crippled Childrens’ Fund.