Ruth Shelly

Mt. Morris, IL – Ruth E. Shelly, age 96, was called to glory on Sunday, May 15, 2022. She was born April 29, 1926 in Marion Township near Stillman Valley, the daughter of Jacob and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Bulthaus) Jacobs. Ruth graduated from Stillman Valley High School in 1944. She married Abraham S. Shelly on Sept.9, 1950 in Oregon, IL.  Following school she worked for several years as a secretary for National Lock in Rockford.  Ruth was an active member of the Ebenezer Reformed Church near Oregon her entire life.  She taught Sunday School for many years and also served as the Sunday School Superintendent.  She was a member of the Ladies Aid and the Naomi Ruth of the church, and she enjoyed reading, singing, and was an excellent baker (making delicious pies) and a seamstress.  She enjoyed refinishing furniture and faithfully wrote letters to her children and grandchildren each week.  Ruth was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Wilhemina (Minnie) Jacobs, her husband Abraham, siblings and their spouses Alice (John) Lindvall, Carolyn (Melvin) Branning, John (Carmen) Jacobs and Ben (Lois) Jacobs, and in-laws Irma (James) Reeverts, and Dorothy (Morrie) Bobert.  She is survived by her 4 children:  Rita (Mike) Giomi of Saratoga, CA; Lavonne (Rob) Baker of Houston, TX; Karen Shelly of Decatur, IL; and John Shelly of Mt. Morris, IL; 3 grandchildren: James Giomi of Fort Collins, Colorado; Anne Giomi (husband Michael Deamer) of San Francisco, CA; and Ethan Baker Royale of Los Angeles, CA; and many nieces and nephews.  Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, May 21, 2022 at the Ebenezer Reformed Church, 2997 N. German Church Road, Oregon, IL 61061 with the Rev. Josiah Youngquist pastor of the church officiating.  Visitation will be prior to the service from 12:00 pm noon till 1:45 pm.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.  A memorial fund is established in Ruth Shelly’s name for the Ebenezer Reformed Church or the Serenity Hospice and Home.