Shellie R. Redelman

Shellie R. Redelman, 54, of Indianapolis, passed away February 17, 2020. She was born August 6, 1965 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to Dean L. and Linda (Hayden) Shantz. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Miami University (Ohio). Shellie is survived by her husband of 31 years, Derek; children, Katelyn, Hayden, and Grace; father, Dean L. Shantz; brother, Doug Shantz; and mother-in-law Kathy Redelman. She was preceded in death by her mother, Linda Jane Shantz. Shellie grew up in Cedar Town, Georgia and Dothan, Alabama. During high school, she moved to North Canton, Ohio bringing with her a southern drawl (which appeared only occasionally as an adult) and a love for Alabama football, which never faltered. She attended Miami University, where she majored in Mass Communications and was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. As a sophomore, she met a fellow Resident Assistant, whom she dated through the rest of college and married four years later, on October 15, 1988, at an on-campus ceremony. Shellie and Derek began their life together in a two-bedroom Broad Ripple home, where they enjoyed entertaining friends and raising their canine kids, Audrey and Zac. They have lived in the Arden Neighborhood since 1996, where they frequently enjoyed walks along the Monon and into Broad Ripple, and where they loved to host family gatherings – for any occasion. She also continued her love for dogs, adopting Rocky and Rosie from Love of Labs Rescue. Professionally, Shellie began her career selling radio advertising for WOXY in Oxford, Ohio – an alternative radio station that had been owned by one of her favorite college professors. When she moved to Indianapolis to be with her fiancé, she worked initially as an admissions representative at Indiana Business College. But her first real career was with General Hotels Corporation, serving as Guests Services Director at Holiday Inn Union Station and then as the corporation’s first full-time Human Resources Director. Nothing was more important to Shellie than her role as a mother. And so, beginning in 1998, she stepped away from her professional life to focus full-time on her greatest passion. For over ten years, she was happiest while sitting in the stands at various sporting events and school programs, shuttling kids and their friends to school and various events, hosting friend gatherings – or just having quiet time at home. She was also active at school, serving in various volunteer roles, including Girl Scout Leader (including Cookie Mom!) and Co-President of FFG. From that love of her time with kids, she returned to school to earn a teaching license and began a second career as an elementary school teacher. At Holy Cross Catholic School, she served initially as a kindergarten aid, then as a preschool teacher and, after finishing her teaching degree, as a First Grade Teacher. Shellie hated the public spotlight and was shy of social media. And yet, she thrived as a workshop trainer and a classroom teacher. As a high school senior at Jackson HS in North Canton, Ohio, she was the high school mascot, where she would entertain crowds while wearing a real polar bear skin. And later, as a young adult, she served as the 40th Anniversary Gift Lift Chair for the Mental Health Association in Marion County, a role that put her on television and radio, and at the center of countless events. Shellie grew up Methodist and converted to Catholicism as an adult. For ten years, she was a member of Christ of King Catholic Church, where she was involved with various school activities and also served as co-chair of their Summer Social. She is currently a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary, where she enjoyed volunteering for coffee and donuts – and also working the beverage tent at Fall Fest. Shellie’s “happy places” always involved water. As young adults, she and Derek had sailed twice to the Bahamas (once successfully, the other with a mishap that kept them for a week in the Keys!) and vacationed several times in San Diego, where she especially enjoyed sunsets at La Jolla Cove. On two occasions, once shortly after marriage and then again for their 30th anniversary, Shellie and Derek spent a week driving the coast of California, from Monterey to San Diego. Her favorite time with family was also on water – including spring breaks in Longboat Key, Florida, and summer vacations on Platte Lake in Northern Michigan, as well as two family trips to San Diego. Her brother’s invention of “Buoy Time” became her favorite tradition, as family members would spend hours floating together on linked inner tubes enjoying laughter and adult beverages. As health became a challenge, first in 2013 and then again in recent months, Shellie was overwhelmed and so greatly appreciative of the support from friends and family – and especially from the communities of Immaculate Heart, Christ the King, and Bishop Chatard High School. Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2020 from 5-8 PM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 5692 Central Ave., Indianapolis Indiana. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11:30 AM also at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Leppert Mortuary – Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements. Please visit www.leppertmortuary.com to share a memory.