Grace “Irene” Shelt

Grace “Irene” Shelt, age 83, of Delta, surrounded by her loving family; passed away on Tuesday morning, August 9, 2016 at her home.  She was born in Delta, OH on September 21, 1932 to the late Herbert and Ruth (Peters) Mattin. She was a 1950 graduate of Delta High School.  On June 12, 1948 she married her first love Clifford Charles Shelt in Delta and he survives.

Irene worked for Kinder Bakery, Rossman Grocery, Gerry’s Market, the Twist-T-Freeze and Fahringer Ins. She also worked for Foodland for ten years and in banking for eighteen years at National Bank of Fulton County and Key Bank. She was active in Girl Scouts for fifteen years as an association committee member.  She was a member of the task force that formed Maumee Valley Counsel, and a delegate to Seattle National Conference. She was also a member of the Delta United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for thirty years, sang and directed the choir. She was also a youth counselor.

Irene enjoyed reading, having tea parties and going on shopping trips. Her second love was music. She sang her first solo at the age of four and never stopped after that. Aside from the church choir she sang in gospel quartets and barbershop for twenty-three years. She also sang with the Irish Hills Sweet Adeline Chorus and the Funtastix Quartet.

Along with her husband of sixty-eight years, Cliff; Irene is survived by her children, Judy (Mike) Cottle, of Ripley, OH, Sandra (Ray) Oyer, of Wauseon, Anne (Dean) Martin, of Millbury, OH, Linda (Larry) Fisher, of Wauseon and Barbara (Michael) Shumaker, of Delta; fourteen grandchildren, twenty-eight great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild with another on the way, one brother, Don Mattin and one sister, Virginia (the late Ross) Wentz. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Michael Lee Shelt, and infant son and one brother, Bob Mattin.

A memorial service celebrating Irene’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at Delta United Methodist Church, 101 Northwood Dr.; where friends will be received from 10:00 – 11:00 AM prior to the service.  Interment will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Delta.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to the Delta Library or to Promedica Hospice in her name.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Barnes Funeral Chapel, 5825 St Hwy 109 in Delta.  Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.barnesfuneralchapel.com.