Merle May Cartwright Shelly

She was born November 14, 1926, in Wadsworth, Ohio, to parents Carl and Anna May (Friedt) Cartwright. Merle was a caring and hardworking person, who always put the needs of her family before her own. She worked as a cashier at several Rootstown area businesses including Porky Pig Foods, Lawson’s, and Dairy Mart. Merle enjoyed the outdoors, especially gardening and birdwatching. In her earlier years, Merle enjoyed bowling. She also loved to make her “Shelly Jelly” and chocolate chip cookies for her family. Merle is greatly loved and will be dearly missed.

She is survived by her children: Roger (Christine) Shelly of Bonita Springs, Florida, Alan (Lori) Shelly of Mogadore, Gail Kezele of Boulder, Colorado, and Jane (Terry Vickers) Poundstone of Palmyra. Merle is also survived by her sisters-in-law Lois (Don) Bowman and “Mickey” Cartwright, as well as her loving 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Shelly in 1969, and also preceded by her parents, her brothers Kenneth and Arthur Cartwright, and her sister-in-law Barbara Cartwright.

Cremation has taken place, and friends will be received Tuesday, April 14, 2015, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, with Pastor Scott Hindel officiating the memorial service immediately following at 7:00 PM. Private inurnment will take place at Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Rootstown Fire Department.