Shelva Yeary

TECUMSEH, Mich. — Shelva "Shev" Yeary, age 82, of Tecumseh, arrived at his heavenly home on October 5, 2016 following a long battle with kidney disease. Born in Harrogate, TN, on January 17, 1934, the son of the late James Allen and Iva (Massengill) Yeary. He moved to Tecumseh in 1952 where he resided for the remainder of his life.

On October 22, 1956 Shev married Sylvia Jean Golat in Tazewell, TN. Seven days after their wedding, he was drafted into the Army and served as a tank driver in the 3rd Armor Division stationed in Kirchgoen, Germany. After returning to Tecumseh in October, 1958, Shev worked as a machinist at Tecumseh Products until he retired in 1991. Shev's most enjoyable job in retirement was the ten years he worked as a delivery person for Schmidt and Sons Pharmacy.

Shev has been a long-term member of various Southern Baptist churches in the local area. He assisted in the organization and start-up of the Trinity Baptist Church, attended the Tecumseh Missionary Baptist Church for several years and was instrumental in the re-development and growth of the Clinton Baptist Church. Shev loved gardening and taking care of his yard. He also loved bluegrass music, classic cars and traveling throughout the United States and Europe.

Shelva is survived by his wife, Sylvia, with whom he enjoyed 59 years together, his children; Edward (Beth Burkhard) Yeary of Clinton, MI and Pamela Yeary Dangler of Sarasota, FL, his grandchildren; Ashley Dangler and Joseph Dangler, three sisters; Shrelda Braden of Adrian MI, Mary Burchett of Harrogate, TN, and Lucille (Orbin) Herrell of Tecumseh, MI, his sister-in-law; Brenda (Earl) Golat Thompson and is also survived by 33 nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Jessie and his wife Leottie, five sisters and their husbands; Hazel (Roy) Sowers, Stachie (Burton) Crosby, Connie (J. Wheeler) Brown, Francis (Arnold) Burchett and Onalee (James) Dalton, two brothers-in-law; Ed Braden and Clarence Burchett.

Visitation for Shelva will be held on Sunday, October 9, 2016 at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 4-8:00 pm. Funeral service will be held on Monday, October 10, 2016 at the funeral home at 1:00 pm with visitation from 12:00 pm until the time of the service, with full military honors under the auspices of the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and the Tecumseh VFW Post #4187.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tecumseh Missionary Baptist Church or Hospice of Lenawee. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.handlerfuneralhomes.com