MARION — Clara “Boots” Catherine (Thacker) Shelton, 90, of Waldo, went home to be with the Lord while surrounded by her loving family on October 20, 2016.
On Nov. 13, 1925, Clara was born and raised in Vinton County, Ohio, the fourth of 17 children of the late Jeramiah and Ethel (Oiler) Thacker.
After moving to Marion, Boots met and married the love of her life, Robert “Jay” Shelton, on Oct. 5, 1947. Together they raised six children: Nancy Rosenberger of Waldo, Brenda Crist of Alabama, Robert (Chris) Shelton of Bellville, Pam (Gary) Spreng of Loudonville, Sherry (Greg) Shelton, and Marla (Steve) Runyon of Marion.
Although Boots worked at many different places throughout her life, most people remember her homemade meals they enjoyed at the Village Tavern in Waldo, and at Boots’ Truck Stop in Norton.
Boots loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and making homemade noodles and rolls to spoil them with. She also loved snow and Christmas.
In addition to her six children, she will be dearly missed by 15 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters: Ruby Rhoades of Garfield Heights, Vella Yager and Terry Hickman of Marion; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Boots was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandson, Duane Rosenberger; two son-in-laws: David Rosenberger and David Crist; five sisters: Della Malone, Elizabeth Ann and Freda Thacker, Betty McKinniss and Sadie McKinniss; and eight brothers: Junior, Henry, Jesse, Leo, Dean, Roy, Paul and Eddie Thacker.
Her family will greet friends from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 24, at theSNYDER FUNERAL HOMES GUNDER/HALL CHAPEL, 347 W. Center St., Marion. Services celebrating her life will also be held there at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, with Pastor Clancy Cruise officiating. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to OhioHealth Marion General Hospital Hospice, 278 Barks Road W., Marion, OH 43302, for their sweet and tender care of Boots.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to have been chosen to serve Boots’ family.
Your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
