Evelyn Grace Shellenbarger

Evelyn Grace Shellenbarger, age 95, passed away peacefully on Dec. 25, 2025, in Geneseo, N.Y.
Born Jan. 22, 1930, in Detroit, Evelyn was one of four children; her three sisters played an important role in Evelyn's early life. A daughter of William A. Goul and Lillian M. (Atkinson) Goul, Evelyn grew up in Big Beaver.
Evelyn met her future husband, Grant O. Shellenbarger, as a teenager while visiting her grandmother, Ellen Elizabeth Olmstead, who resided in Hale. Evelyn and Grant shared their first dance at the Graceland Ballroom in Lupton. They married and shared 55 years together until his passing in 2005.
After experiencing many different types of employment in her youth, a pharmacy, doctor offices, and bookkeeping, Evelyn rose to the top ranks in the Livonia Public School system, retiring after 30 years from her secretarial position at the personnel office. She developed a great friendship with her coworker's sharing laughter and camaraderie.
In her retirement, she enjoyed working at the Iosco County News-Herald, organizing the weekly paper for distribution. Evelyn was featured in the Iosco County News-Herald column, "On the Record" by Jim Dunn, March 15, 2018, as a 16-year veteran employee and current collating supervisor.
She loved historical museums and often took her children and grandchildren to Henry Ford's outdoor museum, Greenfield Village, a large living history museum, to immerse ourselves in learning from the cultural artifacts and architectural remnants of prominent figures from the past. She loved her dogs, Sadie and Riley, and her sibling kitties, Augie and Ella, and Atticus and Ava.
Evelyn will be remembered for her elegant, selfless, soft-spoken nature, engaging smile, and sparkling green eyes. When she was alone with you, she had the ability to make you feel that you were the most important person in the world. She had a sense of optimism that was contagious and magnetic.
A devoted and loving mother, a fiercely loyal partner and friend, she enjoyed her home life and spending time with her family. We all cherished our times together in the homestead she and Grant created on Hale Lake. Children and grandchildren congregated, sharing long weekends and vacations. Abounding with laughter, music, and games, we filled every moment with treasured, engaging, and lively competitions.
Whether it be a cut-throat game of London Rum, a shifty game of Balderdash, a fast-paced game of Dual Solitaire, a thoughtful game of Scrabble, or a quiet crossword puzzle, Evelyn valued these moments spent together. A pot of stew on the stove, a roaring fire in the woodstove, and everyone sitting around a central dining room table, these memories remain. Evelyn will live forever through vivid and enduring memories in the hearts and minds she so lovingly created.
Evelyn is survived by her sister, Sharon Belobraidich; and her three children, Kevin Shellenbarger (Christine), Tamara Green and Jane Shellenbarger; and stepson, Gary Shellenbarger (Judy). She also leaves behind grandchildren, Jacob Shellenbarger, Zachary Shellenbarger, Jesse Green, Emily Garner, Melisa Shellenbarger-Kolling, Erik Shellenbarger and Jennifer Mullett; and her great grandchildren, Ariya Shellenbarger, Adeline Shellenbarger, Natalie Garner, Amy Garner, Amber Shellenbarger, Brendan Mullett and Alyssa Mullett. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Grant Shellenbarger; and her sisters, Eileen Clippert and Ruth McCain.
A celebration of life will be held on a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a local humane society or animal shelter in Evelyn's name.