Joseph James Shelley

Joseph James Shelley of St. Louis passed away peacefully at Mother of Good Counsel Home on December 11, 2023. Born on July 21, 1926, Joe was the third of six boys of Dennie and Grace (Boland) Shelley. He attended McBride High School and enlisted in the Navy at age 17, serving during WWII.

Upon his return from military duty, Joe started his long career at Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. On June 30, 1951, he married Cecilia Zuber at St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Ste. Marie, Illinois and they were together for more than 70 years. They had 8 children, one of whom died in infancy.

Known throughout the neighborhood as an excellent handyman, Joe could repair anything, whether it was electrical, plumbing or construction related. If it was broken, he could fix it! Joe loved fishing and the outdoors and spent his retirement years traveling around the country with Ceil or spending his time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joe lived a long, full life and will be missed dearly by all.

Survived by:

Children: Colleen (Mike) Fagnani, Jo Ann (Jim) Arcipowski, Michael, Patricia (Bill) Jennings, Dennis (Kathy) Shelley, Mary (Dan) Watson, and Karen (George) Michaeli.

18 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren

Our dear Brother-in Law, Uncle, Cousin and Friend.

Donations may be made in his memory to Mother of Good Counsel Home.

A visitation for Joseph will be held Thursday, January 4, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM at Our Lady of the Presentation Overland, 8860 Tudor Ave., Overland, MO 63114, followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 AM, and burial with full military honors, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at 12:30.