Donna L. Shelenhamer (Bolivar)'s Obituary
Donna Lorraine (Shuler) Shelenhamer, Bolivar, MO, passed away on July 26, 2024, at 9:10 am.
She was 81 years old.
Donna was born May 6th, 1943, at 8:43 AM, at Saginaw General Hospital to the late Charles A. and Catherine (Gunderman) Shuler.
She was the youngest of 7 and weighed 4 lbs., 8 ounces.
She married James R. Shelenhamer on March 13, 1963, and they had four children, then divorced on November 11, 1977.
She is survived by her children: Lori (Kevin) Fullbright, Jeff (Renee’) Shelenhamer, Jody (Robin) Shelenhamer and grandchildren: Brittaney Carr, Garret Shelenhamer, Kayla (Chandler) Steward, Mariah (Sam) Lewright and Jacob Shelenhamer; a great-granddaughter, Hallie Jane Steward, Donna’s sister, Betty Jean Tucker; many nieces and nephews, extended family and dear friends.
Donna was preceded in death by her eldest son, James Charles Shelenhamer (1984), her parents, Charles and Catherine Shuler, her step-mother, Helen (Weber) Shuler, her twin brother, Donald Shuler and siblings, Richard Shuler, Norma Herweyer, Clara Vlassis and Walter Shuler, and other loved ones.
Donna worked in her parent’s greenhouse for $1 a week, was saved and became a Christian at the age of 12, graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1961 in Saginaw, then attended United Airlines School in Kansas City, MO before getting a job with the Secret Service in Washington, DC.
That’s where she met a young U.S. Navy sailor she described as handsome and a little cocky and said yes, to his third marriage proposal and moved with him to Bolivar, MO.
Even though her marriage did not work out as planned, she always said she never regretted it, because it gave her the four greatest blessings of her life, her children.
Donna was a stay at home mother until 1977 when she went to work as an executive assistant at Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar, then became a paralegal for Douglas, Haun and Heideman.
She devoted her life to serving others, through her church and community activities.
She was called to teach 1st and 2nd grade GA’s (Girls in Action) every Wednesday night and teach 5th grade Sunday school boys every Sunday and did both for 55 years.
In addition, she held numerous leadership positions at the local and state level for WMU and for decades, was in charge of the Senior Trip ministry, packing snacks for all the BHS seniors for their senior trip.
She also delivered Thanksgiving Day meals for families in Polk County and often portrayed and told the life stories of her favorite missionaries, Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong, at various church functions and events.
In 2013, she was voted as one of Polk County’s kindest citizens.
Her first love was spending time with her family and friends.
She also loved doing wedding flowers, swimming, playing in the snow, scrapbooking, watching westerns, the Detroit Lions and was well known for baking delicious cookies and Sunday dinners.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Miss Donna’s memory to the Lottie Moon or Annie Armstrong Mission funds.
https://www.imb.org/generosity/give-now/lottie-moon/
Your Gifts at Work - Annie Armstrong Easter Offering
Celebration of Life Service;
Wednesday, July 31st at 10 am at First Baptist Church, 316 N. Main Street, Bolivar, MO
Pastor Adam Hughes and Pastor Billy Russell will officiate.
The family will visit with guests at the church Tuesday, July 30 from 5 to 7 PM.
Gravesite service at Crestview Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 2100 S. Springfield, Ave, Bolivar, to follow.
Arrangements have been made by Butler Funeral Home, Bolivar.
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