Susan Kay Shepelak Chitty

Sue was born Oct. 13, 1952 in Cincinnati, Ohio to John & Ethel Shepelak. She was the oldest of three children, sister Judy, (2 years younger), and the youngest, her brother Doug. Sue's father worked in construction; he built power plants in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Virginia when the kids were young. They often moved which meant they often had to change school. They lived in a trailer that they moved many times up and down mountains. John, (Ben), was born and raised in southwestern Pennsylvania; but her mother had deep roots in Miamisburg, Ohio. This meant many car rides back to the Miamisburg area. Like many of us who grew up in the 1950's the family didn't have much; but they had each other and the kids were taught how important family really was. "Ben" also promised the girls and Ethel; that the girls would have a permanent home and not change high schools. "Ben" kept his word by building a house in Miamisburg. Ben continued to build power plants but he would travel to the job and return as many weekends as he could. Sue graduated from Miamisburg High School and started attending The Ohio State Univ. in the fall of 1970 at the age of 17. In December of 1974 she graduated with a degree in Speech Pathology. She taught in the Kettering school system the winter and spring of 1975. In the fall of 1975 she began her career with the Fairborn City Schools and taught there for the next 30 years. She was voted teacher of the year more than once and served as President and other offices in the Fairborn Teacher's Association. Sue and Roger met in the early spring of 1974 while they both attended Ohio State; and continued to date until they were married in Beavercreek on July 26,1975. They celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary while visiting their son Daniel in Siesta Key, Florida this past July. Sue and Roger have one son, Daniel Chitty who was born Sept. 28, 1984. Sue was at almost all of Daniel's activities; especially his sporting events. People could always count the relatives that followed Daniel's many sporting activities. Sue was even on the front of the Dayton Dailey News' front sports page when they pictured her cheering the Beavercreek Varsity during a tournament game at U.D. Arena. Sue attended many 'tailgates' at The Ohio State Univ. after she and Roger got season football tickets. The "Wolf s and Chitty's" would get to the parking lot at 7 am. no matter what the kickoff time. Sometimes it would be just the 4 of them; other times many more. Any of Daniel's friends that went to the tailgate were warned to NEVER repeat anything they ever heard or saw while tailgating if the wanted to be invited back. Sue's fight with cancer began in November of 2007. She fought strong and brave no matter how tough it got. Those around her just felt she would kick it again. She found much solace in the St. Leonard's community, and with her 'sisters' in the Noble Circle Project. Sue did anything for others; she was the person that helped before being asked. Anyone that knew her is a better person because of her. Family will receive friends at TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME-BEAVERCREEK CHAPEL,3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd at Grange Hall Rd. from 6:30-9:00 PM Tuesday, November 17, 2015. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2015 at St. Leonard's Catholic Church. The family requests that contributions be made to The Noble Circle Project, or Hospice of Dayton, or St. Leonard Faith Community, Centerville, OH. Online condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.