James Shelby

On Sunday June 7, 2020, JAMES EDWARD SHELBY passed away at the age of 103. He was born on September 15, 1916 to the late James J. and Alice (nee O’Brien) Shelby. James and Alice raised him and his four brothers and sisters (William, Alice, Margaret and John, all deceased) in the Collinwood area of Cleveland. Following his graduation from Collinwood High School, he began his career with the Mills Company, first as a draftsman, then estimator, salesman, and finally head of the sales department. His career was interrupted because of his service in World War II, as a Master Sergeant in the 193^rd Glider Infantry Company 17^th Airborne Division, in which he was deployed to Europe for action in the Battle of the Bulge where he earned the Purple Heart. Shortly after induction into the Army, he married Helen Marie (Davis), (deceased 2011) and they began their family together. Helen Marie, James D. (wife Janet and the late Kathleen), Dennis J. (wife Saralee Bajaksouzian), William C. (wife Donna), and Kevin P., all surviving, completed the family. He worked at the Mills Company until the early 1970’s when he began his own office partition sales business, branching out to include industrial noise control products, from which he retired, only to form a general contracting business which he operated well into his 80’s. He was active in the Holy Name Society of St. Clare Parish, participating in soft ball and bowling competitions with other parishes. He coached Little League and Pony League teams in Mayfield Heights and Mayfield Village, where the family, since 1948, resided. He was active in the trade group, the Producers Council, for which he served as president. He was known variously as James, Jim, Ed, Uncle Eddy, Dad, Grandpa, Grandpa Papa, depending upon relationships, and unanimously regarded as a wonderful, kind, generous, humorous, loyal, helpful, great man.

He is survived by his five children, five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, cousins, his grandsons-in-law, and his dear friend, Doris Wolfe, to whom his children are deeply indebted for her kindness these past few years. He is also survived by many great friends from all walks of life, with whom he loved to socialize, play cards, meet for lunch, and visit with right until the end of his marvelous life.

His granddaughter, Meghan D. Shelby, husband, Jose’ Sola’, and their children, Elena and William, his granddaughter, Bridget Shelby Morris, husband, Jason Morris, and their daughters, Halle and Dylan, his grandson, Pete Shelby, his grandson, Ryan Shelby and his wife, Nicole, and his granddaughter Danielle Perry and her husband, Chris Perry, have provided and enjoyed many years of wonderful occasions and experiences together with him.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Jim to Hospice of Western Reserve, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland, OH 44192 or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 6850 Mayfield Road, Gates Mills, OH 44040.

Funeral services will be private with military honors.

The family would like to invite friends and family for a Celebration of Life gathering when it is safer to gather.  The date and place will be announced on the DeJohn Funeral Home Website.  Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS.