Joan Roberts
Joan Roberts, longtime Shelby resident, died early Friday Morning, January 27, 2023 at The Village at Westerville in Westerville, Ohio where she had been a resident since 2019. She passed peacefully on her 92nd birthday.
Joan was born to the late John and Myrtle (Upperman) Feller on January 27, 1931 in Marlboro, Ohio and graduated from Middlebranch High School in 1949. On November 15, 1953 she married Buddy Merton Roberts and together they enjoyed nearly 68 years of marriage until his passing on October 29, 2021. Joan worked at Shelby Mutual Insurance Company and retired after 18 years of service. Together throughout their lives, Buddy and Joan were active members and volunteers for many organizations including their church – Trinity United Methodist, F.I.S.H Food Pantry, and the Shelby Helpline.
Surviving are three daughters: Rhonda Roberts of Gahanna, OH; Renae Roberts (Sid Eskridge) of Valrico, FL; and Radell Roberts (Claire Bobrycki) of Syracuse, NY; granddaughter: Abby Eskridge, of Lithia, FL; sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. Buddy and Joan were also blessed to be “adopted” by Raina Pfahler, Brad Rudd, and Brook Hostetter as surrogate grandparents in recent years. In addition to her parents and husband, Joan was preceded in death her brother: Donald (Patti) Feller and sisters: Joyce (Paul) King and Velma (Eugene) Hodge.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 1:30 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 East Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875. Pastor Jeff Croft will officiate and burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery, Shelby. Memorial contributions may be made to F.I.S.H Food Pantry/shelby Helpline, 29½ Walnut Street, Shelby, OH 44875 or Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 East Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875.
Care for Joan and her family is being provided by the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby, OH 44875.
Appropriate ways to express sympathy for those unable to attend may be done by leaving an online condolence on Joan’s obituary at www.penwellturner. com or by leaving a comment on her post on the funeral home’s Facebook page, Facebook.com/ Penwellfuneral.
Freelyn Wayne Gearhart, age 80, of Shelby, died Wednesday afternoon, February 8, 2023 at Carington Park in Ashtabula.
Freelyn was born December 2, 1942 in Olive Hill, Carter County, KY, the son of the late Emory L. and Sally (Nichols) Gearhart. A 1961 graduate of Shelby High School, Freelyn enlisted in the United States Air Force serving during the Vietnam War from 19621966. Following honorable discharge, he remained a part of the Air Force reserves until 1968. Freelyn always lived a life of adventure and it was that sense of adventure that took him all over the country. Wherever he went, he always found work and self-confessed as a “jack of all trades and master of none.” Various industries of work included, but was never limited to: oil fields, law enforcementspecifically the Shelby Police Department, construction and manufacturing. His talents certainly included being incredibly handy and capable of fixing nearly anything.
Freelyn was married to Bertie (Byrd) Gearhart and was the proud father of 4 children: Dorinda Wagner of Shelby, F. Wayne (Jodi) Gearhart of Lancaster, PA, Brenda Gearhart, and Jeff (Michelle) Gearhart both of Loveland. In addition, he was an especially proud dad to the most loyal dog and confident protector, Blue. Freelyn connected strongly with his grandchildrenpositives relationships that were cherished by not only him but his grandchildren just the same: Shane (Nicole) Gearhart, Jordan Gearhart, Garrett (Ellie) Bradley, Regan Gearhart, Reilly Gearhart, Rachel Gearhart, Jacob Gearhart, Cooper Gearhart, Colton Gearhart, and Aleah Gearhart; and great grandchildren: Morgen, Luke, Clint, Hunter, and Tanner. He is also survived by a brother: Woody (Bev) Gearhart; sisters: Loretta (Dave) Wilson, Aretta Wiggins, Donna (Gary) Ramsey, and Marcia Kegley; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. In addition to his parents, Freelyn was preceded in death by an infant sister: Shelva Jean; a niece: Kelly Ann Wilsonhockenberry; and a nephew: Benjamin Gearhart.
Per Freelyn’s wishes, calling hours and funeral services will not be observed. Care for Freelyn and his family is being provided by the Penwell Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby. Condolences for the family may be left on his obituary on the funeral home’s website, www.penwellturner. com, or their Facebook Page, www.facebook.com/ Penwellfuneral