Clarellen Shanholtzer

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Rev. E. Wade Helmkamp officiating. Visitation one hour before services. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville. Memorials may be given to the Activity Fund at Shelbyville Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

Clarellen was born to Modena (Anthony) Selby and Akron Porter Selby on March 23, 1922 in Yoder, Wyoming. She was the middle daughter of five children and lived on the property that her parents had homesteaded during her early childhood. She graduated from Torrington Wyoming High School in 1940.

Clarellen lived for several years in California during World War II before moving to Lovington, New Mexico with her first husband William Green. She managed a credit bureau and also helped operate the family farm while in New Mexico.

She and her second husband Max Shanholtzer were married in 1961 in Carrizozo, New Mexico. Clarellen received her college degree in education from Eastern New Mexico University in 1972 at age 50, fulfilling her lifelong dream of being a teacher. Shortly after this she moved with her husband Max to Southern Illinois so they could start a hog farming business. She began her teaching career at Norris City-Omaha Elementary School in 1973 where she taught first and then second grade for fifteen years. After retirement, she and Max traveled extensively, including spending several winters near Brownsville, Texas in the Blue Bonnet RV Park. Clarellen also took on the ambitious task of writing the Selby family history, which is soon to be published. She wrote the final pages of the book while residing at the rehabilitation center. Clarellen was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Norris City where she was involved in the choir and musical programs.

Clarellen is survived by her husband of 46 years, Max, also of Shelbyville; daughter, Leslie Green (Ed Maxedon) of Nashville, Indiana; daughter, Paula Fullager (John) of Sugar Grove, Illinois; step-son, Max Shanholtzer, Jr. (Gail) of Shelbyville, Illinois; grandsons Nathan Green, Jason Shanholtzer (Shirley), Justin Shanholtzer, Jordan Maxedon and Julian Maxedon; and great-granddaughter Jasey Shanholtzer. Her oldest sister, Phrona Sanders still resides in Texas.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Jack and Dick Selby; and sister, Mary Jo Wasson.