Noreen May Zehner
Noreen May Zehner, age 81, of Shelby, passed away peacefully and unexpectedly in her sleep on Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at her home.
Noreen was born September 25, 1942 in Shelby to the late Paul and Florence (Dodge) Boudinot. A 1961 graduate of Shelby High School, later that year Noreen married Bill Zehner on October 7. Together they raised their own family in addition to numerous others along the way who also shared in calling Noreen “mom” and “grandma.” Noreen was never happy unless she was caring for others. She helped numerous elderly friends who needed care, something that came naturally for Noreen, and was always willing to take in anyone in need of a safe and loving home. To them she offered not just advice and care but quite literally the roof over their heads. Noreen and Bill loved traveling, putting many miles on their Honda Goldwing motorcycle on trips all over the country.
Noreen lived for her family, especially her children and grandchildren. Her legacy of love lives on in all of them. In addition to her husband of nearly 63 years, Bill, Noreen is survived by her children: Cathy (Todd) Cronenwett of Shelby, Theresa (Jeff) Cronenwett of Shelby, Wendy (John) Moore of Shelby, Paul Zehner of Shelby, Jason (Samantha) Zehner of Plymouth, and Daneen Colligan of Indiana; 16 grandchildren; 29 great grandchildren; 4 great great grandchildren; numerous others who caller her mom and grandma throughout their lives; her sister: Linda (Dick) Troxel of Georgia; in-laws: Tom Zehner, Dick (Linda) Zehner, and Pat Zehner; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; and her faithful dog: Suzi. In addition to her parents, Noreen was preceded in death by her sister: Sandra Will.
Family and friends are welcome on Saturday, August 31, 2024 from 4-6 pm at the Penwell Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, where funeral services will be held on Sunday, September 1, 2024 at 2 pm. Pastor James Robinson will officiate the services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shelby Whippet Athletic Boosters, c/o Cathy Dodge, 145 Mansfield Avenue, Apt. #7, Shelby, Ohio 44875.
Condolences may be made on Noreen’s obituary on the funeral home’s website (PenwellFuneralHome.com) or their Facebook page (Facebook.com/PenwellFuneralHome).
To view Noreen’s tribute video, click the provided link: Noreen’s tribute video.
I am so very sorry for your loss of Noreen. Words can not truly express my feelings. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry for the families loss, Noreen was wonderful. May she rest in peace.
Noreen was always so kind to me and my family. I had the pleasure of working at Al Rosso Ford with her. We had lots of fun there. She was always bringing us something Delicious to eat. Hugs and prayers to her beautiful family.
So sorry to see that Noreen passed. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
I was one of those stray kids at 16 and my 17 year old sister that Noreen and Bill took in and I ended up living with them until I was 23. They loved me unconditionally the whole time and never asked for a dime. Their children were and still are as loving as them. Noreen was the best cook and could make the best meals out of nothing. She undoubtedly was everything her obit says about her and she will be missed by all. I’m so sorry for our loss
Bill and family!!
Please accept our deepest condolences in the loss of Noreen!
She was such a kind and loving soul! Our prayers go up for each of you!
With prayers for peace,
Bill and Sue Fairchild
Paul and family,
My heart goes out to you at such a difficult time. May God bless and guide you along this path. Prayers!
Bill and family so sorry to hear about Noreen’s passing she was such a dear lady. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May God comfort you at this difficult time.
Bill and Family,
Nancy and I extend our condolences to all on Noreen’s passing. May she rest in peace. Thinking of you all.
Karen and I want to extend our condolences to the Zehner
Our hearts go out to Bill and family.
Noreen was a very special lady!!!! Bill and Noreen cared for my sister and I during some trying times. Even though we lived miles apart she was always staying in touch through FB asking about us and our daughters.
But mostly, we remember a life well lived and honor Noreen a person well loved. ❤️
Dick & Brenda Whisler
Bill and family – Jan and I are so very sorry to hear of Noreen’s passing. She had such a beautiful smile and a contagious laugh. And the photo with her obituary – it is truly her. She will be so missed by so many.
Barb & Jan Kaple
Bill and family,
So sorry to hear this. Noreen was a wonderful woman who helped raise us Broadway kids. She was generous with her time, her love, and her guidance. She will be greatly missed. May she rest in Etrenal Peace.
Bill and family, I was very sorry to hear about the loss of Noreen. Prayers go out to the family.
To all the Zehner family my sincere condolances. She was truly one of the best. God Bless you all , yours is a wonderful family.
I am so sorry for your loss prayers with u n ur family from Sarah shade
To all of you. I am so sorry to hear this. It was so much fun growing up at your house. If we got out of line she sure would put the hammer down.
Noreen was a wonderful lady. May she rest in peace.
Prayers for all of the family. So sorry for your loss. God bless all of you.
Bill and family,
My heart breaks for all of you. Her beautiful smile and contagious laugh will be deeply missed.
When I was able to go with the “girls” we would have such fun times!!!
Sending love and hugs with prayers for God’s comfort.
Love you!
Bev
Wendy…my condolences. It is so hard to lose your mom. Thinking of you.
Don and I are so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
I’m so sorry for the loss of my friend. We were characters together. And I loved her.
Please, Family, accept my sincere apologies for your loss. She was a very special Lady ❤
Prayersfor your strength.
Paul and family,
My deepest condolences on the sudden loss of your mom. She was such an amazing lady that always had warm smiles, and open arms. For anyone. She was a great example of how we all should live.
You will all be in my thoughts.
Laura R
So sorry for your loss Hugs and prayers
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the entire Zehner family. Heaven received an angel, the honor comes from having the privilege to have known an angel in person.
Theresa and Jeff our condolences on your loss! You and your whole family are in our thoughts and prayers!
So sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God bring you strength and peace in the days ahead.
Theresa my thoughts and prayers are with you and family at this difficult time.
Bill and family, Sorry to hear about Noreen. You have our condolences. Jim and Marilyn Mckinney
So sorry to here Noreen passed. We had some fun times together! May God be with you all.Prayers go up for you all!
So Sorry to hear of Noreen’s passing Love & Prayers to All the Family & Friends ❤️ Loved by All who new her SO Kind Caring Nurturing Soul You will be Greatly Missed ❤️
To the entire Zehner family — Words can’t express my sadness for your loss. Noreen was not only a best friend/neighbor growing up, but a classmate also. As years went on she was a babysitter, which my children ask her if they could call her Aunt Noreen and Bill uncle — boy did that ever please her. She and I were very close like sisters almost being I wasn’t gifted with one. More years went on and was able to share many motorcycle activities………we had our happy fun and sad times of which she stood by and helped in many caring ways. Oh those times go on and on, keeping tabs on what each other was what we did (even through all past few months happenings). which our last contact was on Tuesday prior to our sadness…………God Bless you all — prayers and hugs!
So very sorry about your loss. May she rest in peace.
The Facklers are so very sorry to hear about Noreen’s passing our prayers are with the family at this time
Zehner family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences. I have such fond childhood memories of Noreen and your family. Your home was so very welcoming to me and my sisters while we were growing up in Shelby. Blessing to you all. Christine Morris
Hugs to all of you Zehners, and all who will miss her. So glad you girls got to spend time with her like you did. She was a special lady for sure. She was leary of me at first. Going to lead Zane to the dark side…I told her to never worry that I would never let anything bad happen to her. Not long after, I got a space on the family wall!! Loved her so much!!
Heaven has received a angel, sorry for your loss. What a wonderful women. She will never be forgotten, peace for the family through these hard times. I have so many wonderful memories of her from my childhood. Thank you Noreen ! May you rest in peace.
To Theresa and family. We are so sorry for the loss of your Mother. Wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Zehner family,
I am so sorry to hear about Noreen’s passing. Prayers and hugs to all..
Prayers and condolences for the Zehner family.
Noreen was such a wonderful mentor and friend to all of us gals working at Al Rosso’s! What fun times we had together! She definitely lived life to the fullest and will surely be missed by all whose lives she touched. Sending many healing thoughts and prayers to all the family and friends.
Noreen was a kind and generous woman who always welcomed me and my friends to the family home. Will never forget her and Bill’s kindness…we were like family to them, and they were the same to us…she now joins Chuck Hamman, Marty Payne, Dave Oehlof, Mike Shade and many others in the kingdom of heaven. These were simply “her boys”. To the Zehner family, I extend my hearfelt condolences on Noreen’s passing. God rest her soul.
Bill, Children, and all who loved her; our deepest sympathy on the passing of your wife, mother, and Gran. Reading the tributes brought me to tears. What a wonderful person she was. Her passing was such a shock and coming so close to the passing of your brother, Bill. You and your family are in our prayers.
So sorry for your loss. Noreen was a “Mom” to all of us in our Broadway neighborhood. Many hugs to you and your family!!