Ruth Eleanor Shelby, 99, passed away February 9, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on March 30, 1925 in Three Oaks, Michigan to Dennis Keefer and Vera (Collins) Keefer, the oldest of nine children.  Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Indiana to reside in the River Park and Mishawaka area for the remainder of her life.  Ruth met Samuel P. Shelby at church in November of 1945 after serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II.  They married three months later on February 3, 1946.  They raised their family of six children in Mishawaka.

Ruth gave her heart and life to the Lord at a young age of eight.  She served him throughout her entire life.  Ruth loved teaching young children about Jesus and was a wonderful Sunday School teacher at the First Church of God in Mishawaka for many decades.

Ruth was involved in the Mishawaka community.  She worked at Bloomers Florist for 15 years with her daughter, Shelley.  Our Mom loved making people happy with her warm and beautiful smile.  She had a precious and genuine love for people.  Everyone who ever met Mom would never forget her wonderful, sincere hugs.  She always said "Find something to be joyful about every day".  That is the way she lived every day.  Mom was a joy to be around.  Along with having such a funny sense of humor, Mom had a magnetic personality that was sweet, sincere, patient and she was a wonderful listener.  She will be terribly missed!

Ruth is survived by her children Tom (Linda) Shelby, Diane Kring, Shelley Shelby, Sam Shelby and Tim Shelby.  Also surviving are her grandchildren Tavis Shelby, Patrick (Johnna) Shelby, Colton Shelby and Connie, and the one great delight of her life, her great-granddaughter – Eleanor Mallette Shelby.

Preceding her in death was father-Dennis, mother-Vera, her son-David Shelby and eight siblings.

The family will receive friends on Monday February 17th from 10:00 Am until 12:00 PM at Chapel Hill Funeral Home.

The funeral service will be at 12:00 PM at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Osceola, IN

Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Memorial Garden's, Osceola, IN, 46561

Memorials may be given to St. Joseph Indian School,  https://www.stjo.org/
Or Wounded Warrior Project  https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/