Eleanor E. Shufelt, 86, of Mesa, Ariz.

Eleanor E. Shufelt of Mesa, Ariz., passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Sept. 5, 2017.

Born in Malta Ridge, N.Y., on Feb. 25, 1931, daughter of Clarence and Margaret (Gates) Melander.

Eleanor graduated from Ballston Spa High School, New York in 1948. Following graduation, Eleanor worked as a bookkeeper at Skidmore College. She also worked as a school aide in Niskayuna and Roundout Valley school districts in New York.

Eleanor and husband Milton moved to the Phoenix, Ariz., area in 1982. She worked as a Librarian Aide while in Arizona and retired from the Tempe Elementary School District in 1993.

During retirement, Eleanor and Milt travelled the U.S. extensively in their RV visiting family and friends. They loved camping and spending time outdoors and made long lasting friendships with the people they met in their travels.

Eleanor was predeceased by her husband of 53 years, Milton C. Shufelt; granddaughter, Amy Shufelt; and brother, Ernest C. Melander.

Survivors include her three children, Polly (Gerard) Spinnler of Houston, Texas, Erik (Maria) Shufelt of Mesa, Ariz., Jeffrey (Lora) Shufelt of Gilbert, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Dana, Allison and Carl Spinner, Megan Shufelt, Christian and Ryan Shufelt; two brothers, Raymond (Joan) Melander of Malta, N.Y., Robert (Shirley) Melander of Ballston Spa, N.Y.; sister, Doris Dunn of Hawthorne, N.J.; sister-inlaw, Irene Melander of Malta, N.Y.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A celebration of Eleanor’s Life will be held on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, Ariz., 85207. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, Ariz., 85014.