E. Jay Shelley, son of the late Abe and Audra (Crewse) Shelley, was born August 20, 1939, in Bendavis, Missouri, and passed away on August 29, 2024, at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri, at the age of 85.
E. Jay grew up on the family farm. His first job was at Sunny Hill Poultry Plant in Cabool, Missouri. He worked there until it closed. Then he went to St. Louis, Missouri, for a short time and worked at Continental Can Company. He didn’t like the big city so he came back home and went to Springfield, Missouri, and worked at M.F.A. Meat until it closed. Then he worked at Loren Cook Company until he retired.
On the weekends, E. Jay would come back home and work on finishing the home that his parents were building. He made the cabinets shorter because Audra was short. He could fix anything and if you needed help, he was there. He retired early in order to take care of his parents. He was their caregiver for over 20 years. E. Jay took in all stray cats. He also enjoyed going to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and eating out.
E. Jay is survived by a sister, Donna Kullmar; a nephew, Matt Kullmar; three great-nephews, Tyler, Anthony, and Blake; a special friend, Bruce DeMarionville; numerous uncles and aunts; and other relatives and friends. He is already greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Murr Cemetery in memory of E. Jay.
