Dorothy A. Cirata, age 92, of Shelby, died Tuesday, June 27, 2017 at OhioHealth Shelby Hospital.
She was born April 13, 1925 in Pittsburgh, PA the daughter of the late Joseph and Helen (Spoharski) Kolakowski. She was a graduate of Clark High School, Scot Township, Pennsylvania and was a homemaker. On June 5, 1948 she married John Cirata. They moved their family to Shelby from Pittsburgh when John took a job as an electrical engineer with Copperweld. She was a very active member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church where she had been a collection counter and was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. Dorothy was a volunteer at Shelby Memorial Hospital for many years, and enjoyed dancing- especially polka, playing cards and eating breakfast weekly with her breakfast group. One of her greatest joys was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dorothy is survived by her 7 children: Sue (Bob) Mahek of Shelby, Ray (Pam) Cirata of Lorain, Ron (Monica) Cirata of Shelby, Sharon (Mark) Dorian of Fairview Park, Tom (Michele) Cirata of Poquoson, VA, John (Julie) Cirata of Brea, CA, and Fr. David Cirata of Toledo; 16 grandchildren; 21 great grandchildren; 2 sisters: Teresa Figura and Marie (Bob) Sherwin both of Pennsylvania. In addition to her parents Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband: John Cirata in 1995, and a brother: Joseph Kolakowski.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, June 30, 2017 from 4-7 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where a Christian Wake Service will be conducted at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10 AM at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby, with Father David Cirata, her son, celebrating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Memorial expressions may be made to the church.
To send a message of sympathy or to share a memory with the Cirata family, please visit penwellturner.com
Gerldean Brooks, age 81, of Shelby, died Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at the Crestwood Care Center in Shelby.
Gerldean was born July 4, 1935 in Salyersville, KY, the daughter of the late Oren and Tessie (Conley) Tackett. She was a 1955 graduate of Salyersville High School. Gerldean was the head teacher and center coordinator at the Community Action Head Start in Shelby for 24 years. She loved her family and especially enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, Bailey. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Plymouth and attended Taylortown Community Church where she was an active salesperson for their annual pumpkin roll fundraiser. Gerldean enjoyed playing bingo, doing crossword puzzles, and selling Avon.
Gerldean is survived by her son: S. David (Beth) Brooks of Mansfield; 3 grandchildren: Bailey E. (Kyle Bryant) Brooks, Sara (Justin) Welter, Daniel (Leah Hardin) Pennell; 3 great grandchildren: Connor, Ava, Finnley; 10 brothers and sisters: Earnestene Cunningham of Plymouth, Eloise Landis of Shelby, Virginia (Jan) Day of Shelby; Janet Sue (Paul) Ryman of Shelby; John (Barb) Tackett of CO, Rev. O. Douglas (Mary) Tackett of Shelby, Reta Hammond of Ontario, Jerry (Sharon) Tackett of SC; Barbara Porter of Shelby, Sandra (Paul) Kistemaker of Norwalk; 3 uncles and an aunt; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two infant brothers and her first husband, David A. Brooks, in 1971.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, June 16, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Saturday at 2 pm. Her brother, Rev. O. Douglas Tackett, Pastor of Taylortown Community Church, and Rev. Linda Kaufman, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Plymouth, will co-officiate with burial following in Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth. Memorial contributions may be made to the Turner Funeral Home to assit the family with final expenses. To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: penwellturner.com
Former Shelby resident, Genavee (Ingram) Mulligan, age 78, died March 16, 2017 in Southport, North Carolina. Genny was born December 25, 1938 in Menifee County, Kentucky. She was the daughter of Seebert and Sylvia (Holland) Ingram, and was a 1956 graduate of Shelby High School. She resided in the Washington DC/Maryland area for the majority of her career before retiring and moving to North Carolina with her husband. She enjoyed golfing, cooking, baking, and playing bridge.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years: Edward Mulligan of Southport, NC; a brother-in-law: John (Mary Ellen) Mulligan of Southport, NC; and cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; a son: Brett Allan Mulligan in 1994; and two brothers: Denver “Jack” Ingram and Wincel Ingram.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2017 at 10 AM at Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby. Memorial expressions may be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401. To send a message of sympathy or to share a memory with Genny’s family, please visit penwellturner.com
Rochell Clark “RC” Pittenger, age 84 of Shelby, died Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.
He was born September 22, 1932 in Richland County the son of the late Clarence and Fern (Clark) Pittenger. RC was a 1950 graduate of Shelby High School and was an Army veteran stationed stateside during the Korean War. RC had his own construction business and was a handyman that could fix anything. He had a very outgoing personality and never met a stranger and would give anyone in need the shirt off his back. He was a devout Christian and was a member of the Shelby Church of The Nazarene.
RC is survived by his children: Todd (Lois) Pittenger of Florida; Neal (Laura) Pittenger of Oklahoma; Cami (Jeff) Bowman of Columbus; Joy Gwin of Shelby; 6 grandchildren: Brandon Ewing (Ashley Gullett), Brennan (Stacy) Bowman, Eric Bowman, Bradley Bowman, Evan Bowman and Mark Pittenger; 1 great granddaughter: Cambria; a niece Candy Johnson.
He was preceded in death by: his parents, his wife: Mary Lou (Fought) Pittenger, 2 sisters: Twyla Pittenger and Echo Koster, a son-in-law: Tim Gwin and brother-in-law: Gerald Koster.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, June 4, 2017 from 2-5 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:30 AM at the funeral home conducted by his great niece Tiffany Johnson and Pastor Lanny R. Imboden assistant pastor at Taylortown Community Church. Burial will follow in Ganges Cemetery in Ganges with military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.
Memorial expressions may be made to Shelby Senior Center. To share a memory or to send a message of sympathy to the Pittenger family, please visit
Anthony Bernard “Tony” “Duke” Rowland, age 79, of Galion, died Sunday morning, May 28, 2017 at his home.
Tony was born December 7, 1937 in the Bronx, NY, the son of the late Patrick and Mary (Dalton) Rowland. He was a veteran of the United States Army serving from 1955-1958 being stationed at Fort Knox, KY. Tony was employed at “The Tuby” in Shelby for 31 years, retiring in 2001, and was a former Vice President of their union. Tony enjoyed collecting many different things and had been a Cub Scout leader.
Survivors include: his wife, Peggy A. (Jenne) Rowland, whom he married September 1, 1973; 9 children: Audrie Dolan of Shelby, Jeff (Mary) Coning of NC, Lora Myers of Shelby, René Hill of Galion, Patrick (Alex) Rowland of AZ, Jerry Coning of Ashland, Denise (Bob) Rosebrough of Galion, Toni Lynn Rowland of MI, Tiffany (Scott) MacReady of MI; numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren; and a brother: Frank (Mirane) Rowland of CA. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: a son: Steven Matthew Rowland; 2 brothers: Patrick and Vincent; and a sister: Kathleen.
Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, June 3, 2017 from 10 am- 12 noon at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held at noon. Pastor Jeff Pennington will officiate and burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery in Galion with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Home Care Matters Hospice.
To share a memory or express a condolence, please visit: penwellturner.com
Wayne L. Keefer, age 89, of Mansfield and former Shelby resident died Sunday, May 21, 2017 at Wedgewood Estates in Mansfield in the company of his wife and children.
He was born October 1, 1927 in Lucas County, Toledo, Ohio the son of the late Tim L. and Ardella M. (Robertson) Keefer. He was a 1945 graduate of Willard High School. Wayne served in the United States Navy and was a Veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. Wayne was a 36 year employee of Fisher Body in Mansfield retiring in 1992. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Shelby where he sang in the choir, UAW Retirees where he was past vice chairman. He enjoyed Shelby genealogy and singing for many years with the Fun Center Chordsman. He was an avid sailor on Clearfork Reservoir and enjoyed many Windjammer voyages on the coast of Maine.
Wayne is survived by his wife of 69 years, whom he wed on October 3, 1948: Doris L. (Smith) Keefer, of Mansfield; 2 daughters: Norma M. Keefer (Michael Iding) of Centerville, Ohio and Pauline L. (Samuel) Patton, Jr. of Mansfield; a son: Kevin A. Keefer (June Jeffers) of Stony Point, NY; 2 grandchildren: Katie (Miguel) Resto and Nick Keefer; 2 sisters: Elaine Martin of Sandusky, Ohio and Beverly Jean Yoha of Florida; Many step grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends and family are welcome on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 10-11 AM at Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be held on at 11 AM.
Rev. Carl G. Beighley will officiate. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby with military honors. Memorial expressions may be made to Hospice of North Central Ohio or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
To send a message of sympathy to the Keefer family, please visit
Diane (Williams) Mowry, age 71, of Rome, Georgia and formerly of Shelby, died May 19, 2017 at Redmond Regional Medical Center in Rome, Georgia.
She was born June 29, 1945 in Shelby and was a 1963 graduate of Shelby High School. Diane worked for 20 years at Shelby Business Forms before moving to Georgia to start a family business, Wire Tech LTD, located in Summerville, GA, retiring as Office Manager in 1995.
Diane is survived by her husband: Keith Mowry of Rome, GA; a daughter: Shelli (Rich) Fletcher of Summerville, GA; a son: Steve Mowry of Shelby; her mother: Sally (Shepard) Williams of Shelby; 4 grandchildren: Tyler Fletcher, Kelsey Fletcher, Ashley Mowry and Alex (Jessica) Mowry; a great granddaughter: Emma Mowry; her siblings: Duke (Angie) Williams of TN, Jamie (Kim) Williams of Shelby, Vic (Kerry) Williams of Shelby, Sue Beal of Butler; And many beloved nieces, nephews and other relatives. She was preceded in death by her father: Dingus Williams and an infant brother.
Family and friends are welcome on Friday, May 26, 2017 from 5-7 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where funeral services will be conducted following visitation at 7 PM conducted by Marty Carty. Burial will be in Mansfield Memorial Park in Ontario. Memorial expressions may be made to Rome Floyd Humane Society, 518 Broad Street, Rome, GA 30161. www.rfhs.org
To offer words of sympathy with the Mowry family, please visit
Carmen Joseph Fox, age 95, longtime Shelby resident, died Thursday, May 11, 2017 at Brookwood Place at Brethren Care Village in Ashland.
Carmen was born August 22, 1921 in Lancaster, Ohio, the son of the late Lawrence and Norah (O’Neill) Fox. He was a 1939 graduate of Saint Mary High School in Lancaster. Carmen was a WWII veteran of the United States Army Air Corps serving from 1942-1945. He flew 26 missions with the 93rd Bomb group as a radio operator in a B-24 from England over the European Theatre. At the time of his honorable discharge, Carmen was a first lieutenant and had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Following his service, Carmen attended The Ohio State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1949.
From 1949-1969 Carmen worked for Sealtest Dairy Products as the plant manager, a job that brought he and his wife, Ellen, to Shelby. He then worked for Dairy Farm Products from 1969-1986 until his retirement. Prior to his military service, Carmen worked at Binninger’s Floor Coverings in Lancaster.
Carmen was an active member of Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church where he had been an usher and taught CCD in addition to many volunteer hours for different church events. Since the age of 18, 77 total years, Carmen had been a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was active with several councils throughout his life with the majority being with Shelby Council #1968 where he was currently the oldest member and had been awarded Family Man of the Year.
He had been active in Western Square Dance, volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, and was a member of the Zoning Appeals Board for Sharon Township. He also loved caring for his apple trees on his property.
Surviving are 6 children: Ted (Dianne) Fox of Marengo, Denis (Kathy) Fox of Ashland, Leonard (Kathy) Fox of Shelby, Sheila Fox (Chuck Lynd) of Delaware, Karen Fox Esbenshade of Ashland, Victor (Jeanne) Fox of Dublin; 20 grandchildren; 27 great grandchildren; 3 brothers: Hugh Fox of Lancaster, Pat (Dolly) Fox of Columbia, Missouri, Paul (Loretta) Fox of London; and a sister: Sr. Mary Jo Fox, OP of Columbus. On September 23, 1946 he married Ellen Cecelia (Shaw) Fox who preceded him in death on January 22, 2006, in addition to a daughter: Mary Fox; and 3 brothers: Joseph Fox, Larry Fox, and Jack Fox.
Family and friends are welcome on Monday, May 15, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where a rosary will be recited at 3:45 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Tuesday at 10 am at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 26 West Street, Shelby, with Fr. Chris Mileski officiating. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to the Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church Endowment Fund.
Joyce Ann (Eckstein) Von Stein, age 76, of Shiloh, died Wednesday, May 10, 2017 at The Willows At Willard.
Joyce was born August 24, 1940 in Shelby the daughter of the late Carl E. and Nettie (Yaussy) Eckstein. She was a 1958 graduate of Tiro High School. She was a former employee of Shelby Mutual Insurance Co., U.S. Postal Service where she was a rural letter carrier for Shiloh and was the Fiscal Officer for Cass Township. She retired from both the post office and the township.
Joyce was a devoted farmer’s wife and along with her other jobs worked side by side with her husband, Raymond. When her children were young she was a 4-H advisor for Shiloh Pals and was a member of the Richland County Farm Bureau. Genealogy fascinated Joyce. She was a member of the Crawford County Genealogical Society and spent many hours volunteering at the Shiloh Historical Society.
She was a member of the National Association of Rural Postal Carriers and Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Shiloh where she had been the organist for many years.
Joyce was very well liked and knew everyone on her postal route – she was just a people person. Joyce enjoyed talking with others on the phone and keeping up on their daily lives. Her hobbies included crocheting, cooking, scrapbooking and attending her grandchildren’s events.
She is survived by her 4 children: Jill (Steven) Baldridge of Shelby, Sally (Al) Petrie of Attica, Paul (Karen) Von Stein of Shiloh, Julie (Martin) Henke of Princeton, MO; 8 grandchildren: Michael Baldridge, Katie Baldridge, Becky (Travis) Donahue, Ben Petrie, Sam Petrie, Caleb Von Stein, Abby (Jarrett) Crouse, Mason Henke; 2 step grandchildren: Michael Paul and Sarah Jones; 4 step great grandchildren; 1 brother: Dennis (Janet) Eckstein of Mansfield. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Raymond Paul Von Stein in 2008; and a brother: John Eckstein.
Family and friends are welcome on Sunday, May 14, 2017 from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10 AM at Mt. Hope Lutheran Church in Shiloh. Her pastor Rev. Blanch Tyree and her son-in-law Pastor Steven Baldridge of Rome Community Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Shiloh.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the entire staff of both The Willows at Willard and Stein Hospice for the excellent care of their mother.
Memorial expressions may be made to Mt. Hope Lutheran Church or Cass Bloomingrove Shiloh Fire Department. To share a memory or send a condolence to the Von Stein family, please visit: penwellturner.com
Virgil Thomas Schroeder, age 93, of Shelby, died Saturday, April 22, 2017 at Elmcorft of Ontario.
He was born March 4, 1924 in Glandorf, Ohio the son of Henry B. and Gertrude (Kleman) Schroeder. Virgil was and Army veteran of WWII and was a farmer all of his life. Although farming and everything about farming was his passion, he also sold Knapp Shoes for 40 years, sold Pioneer Seed Corn for 32 years, and sold Moormans Livestock Feed for 8 years. Virgil was a member of the Richland County Farm Bureau and Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church.
Virgil is survived by 1 son: Donald Schroeder (Deb Parks) of Shelby; 7 daughters: Dianne (Thom) Powers of Oregon, OH, Nancy (Jim) Schell of Lewisville, TX, Jean Ann (Keith) Fairchild of Shelby, Ursula (Ken) Esterline of Shelby, Lisa (Abel) Hernandez of Dayton, OH, Barbara Schroeder of Salisbury, MD, Julie (Mark) Friebel of Shelby; 1 daughter-in-law: Brenda Schroeder of Shelby; 21 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren: 1 great great grandchild.
On June 11, 1947 Virgil married Joan May (Kiene) Schroeder and she preceded him in death on October 25, 2005. Also preceding him in death were 2 sons: Richard Schroeder and Steven Schroeder; a grandson: Michael Schroeder; a daughter-in-law: Jeannette Schroeder; 3 sisters: Mildred Kuhlman, Norma Meyers, Juletta Krietemeyer and 2 brothers: Harold Schroeder and Ambrose Schroeder.
Family and friends are welcome on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 from 1-3 and 5-7 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where the Rosary will be recited at 7 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 10:30 AM at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 29 West Street, Shelby. Father Chris Mileski will officiate. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery in Plymouth with military honors.
Memorial expressions may be made to St. Mary School or to Shelby Senior and Community Center. To send a condolence or to share a memory with the Schroeder family, please visit penwellturner.com
