Wanda Jo Schellbach

August 6, 1936 – February 3, 2026

Burleson, Texas — Wanda Jo Schellbach, 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on February 3, 2026.

Jo was born in Whitehall, Montana, the daughter of Dean and Edna Tidball. She spent her early years in Whitehall until the early 1950s, when the family relocated to northern Arizona. Her father eventually took a position as a river hydrographer, with assignments at both the Grand Canyon and Lee’s Ferry along the Colorado River. During this time, Jo, her twin sister Gay, and older sister Dawn attended several boarding schools.

Following high school, Jo completed a nursing degree at the Regina School of Nursing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, establishing a lifelong career as a Registered Nurse.

Jo and her sisters spent their teen summers with their parents in the rugged desert wilderness of northern Arizona. They became quite adept at hiking both into and out of the Grand Canyon to Phantom Ranch, where their father was stationed. One particular day in 1953, after ascending out of the canyon, Jo met a young man playing piano in one of the rimside hotels. His name was Don Schellbach, the son of the Chief Park Naturalist at the Canyon. The two fell in love and were married in Flagstaff, Arizona, in 1957, beginning what became a 68-year romance. Together, they raised a son, Craig, and a daughter, Traci.

Don joined the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and became a pilot, flying a variety of military aircraft. Through numerous assignments, Jo fulfilled her role as a dedicated Air Force wife and mother, raising their two children during Don’s many absences and working as a nurse during portions of this time. She was very active in Officers’ Wives Clubs and, along with her husband, was an avid bridge player.

Following Don’s retirement from the Air Force, the family relocated to Wichita Falls, Texas, in 1974. Jo worked as a nurse at the Wichita Clinic from the mid-1970s until her retirement in 2001. She and Don remained in Wichita Falls until 2021, when they moved to Burleson to be closer to family.

Jo’s hobbies included boating with her family and country dancing. She was an accomplished painter and created many beautiful works of art, including a cherished mural of the Grand Canyon. Her greatest joy in life, aside from her family, was her work as a nurse and helping others in any way possible.

Jo was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Don; and her older sister, Dawn Myers.

She is survived by her twin sister, Gay Cameron, and husband Buzz of Mesa, Arizona; daughter Traci Wyrick and husband Tim of Killeen, Texas; son Craig Schellbach and wife Lucie of Burleson, Texas; grandson Calvin Schellbach, wife Adrian, and daughter Shea of Oakland, Florida; and grandson Joseph Schellbach and wife Gabrielle of Crowley, Texas.

The family extends their sincere thanks to Concho Hearts Hospice, as well as the many friends and extended family members who stayed in touch with Jo and Don over the years. Special thanks are also extended to Comfort Keepers In-Home Care and their wonderful caregivers, who provided exceptional support and loving care to both Don and Jo in their final years.

Jo’s warmth and gentle presence will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Moore Bowen Road Funeral Home, located at 4216 S. Bowen Rd., Arlington, TX 76016.

Interment will take place on February 18, 2026, at the Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211.