James Bysor Shelenhamer

James Bysor Shelenhamer of Humansville was born Aug. 30, 1922, in St. Clair County in the area that was once known as Ohio Post Office but no longer exists. He was the son of James Blaine and Nellie Ellen (Bysor) Shelenhamer. He was the youngest of five children, the others being Reva Ellen, Leta Mae Sunny, Ruby Frances and Veta Nell, who died at the age of 10 months. He died Monday, May 19, 2014, at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar at the age of 91 years, 8 months and 19 days. Bysor moved to Humansville in Polk County in 1925 with his family and it was there that he met his future wife, Emma Maxine Shirley. They were married Sept. 1, 1940, in Ozark in Christian County. This union was blessed with four children, James Rollin, Emma Frances, Judy Ellen and Jerry Bysor.They lived all of their married life in Humansville except for the eight years that they lived in Bolivar from 1959-67. They celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary Sept. 1, 2004. Bysor graduated from Humansville High School in 1941. Bysor and Maxine owned and operated the school buses for Humansville for many years. In 1959 they moved to Bolivar and operated the Ford dealership and other businesses, which included an auto parts store; a paint, body and wrecker service; and a grain-hauling truck business, Shelenhamer Trucking, which he owned with his son, Jim. After returning to Humansville, Bysor raised stock and operated Shelenhamer Auto Sales, a used-car dealership, from his home. Bysor was active in the Humansville Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations. He was inducted into the Humansville High School Hall of Fame in 1999. He was a former member of the IOOF Lodge and was a member of the Western Swing Music Society of the Southwest. His hobbies included spending time with his family, listening to country music and western swing dancing. At every family gathering, Bysor was always part of a rousing game of Pitch, a card game. Bysor was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Humansville, having given his life to the Lord in September 1951. He taught Sunday school classes at First Baptist Church for many years and was also an usher. Bysor was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine, who died Feb. 6, 2005; his parents, Jim Jake and Nellie Shelenhamer; four sisters, Reva Selvidge, Leta Mumford, Ruby Grimes and Veta Shelenhamer; and one grandson, Jimmy Charles Shelenhamer. On Nov. 3, 2006, Bysor was married to Leota (Shrout) Stokes of Centerview, formerly of Humansville. They enjoyed eight years together. Leota and her family were always loving and supportive of Bysor and the extended family. Bysor is survived by four children and their spouses, Jim Shelenhamer, Emma Franklin and husband Ben, Judy Wollard and husband Larry, all of Bolivar, and Jerry and Elizabeth Shelenhamer, Cypress, Texas. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and their families, which include 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild (with one more on the way): Shirley Sheldon, children Michael and Amara Trudzinski, Fenton; Lori (Shelenhamer) Fullbright and husband Kevin, Jenks, Okla.; Steve Sheldon, Dunnegan; Jeff Shelenhamer, wife Renee, children Brittaney (Shelenhamer) Ashlock, all of Bolivar, and Garret Shelenhamer, Denver, Colo.; Jody Shelenhamer, wife Robin, children Kayla, Jacob and Mariah, all of Bolivar; Jennifer Shelenhamer, children Brandon Reece and his son, Troy, Brianna (Reece) Smith, husband Trevor and baby due November 2014, Houston, Texas; Julie (Wollard) Trout, husband Brian, children Christian, Jonathan and Laura, all of Bolivar; Justin Wollard and wife Andrea, Norman, Okla.; and Jay Shelenhamer, children Taylor, Abby, Emily and Megan, Cypress, Texas. In addition, Bysor is survived by three step-grandchildren and their families, Glen Stancil, wife Angie, children Cameron and Alexandria, Houston, Texas, Chris Franklin, wife Kim, children Alex, Elizabeth and Rachel, Lexington, Ky., and Josh Littel, wife Shanna, children Bryce and Brook, Tomball, Texas; several nieces and nephews; and a host of friends and other relatives. Bysor is also survived by his wife Leota, along with her five children: Anna Lee Hammons and family, Helen Thompson, husband Roy and family, Jim Stokes, wife Peggy and family, John Stokes, wife Lorna and family and Tom Stokes, wife Joy and family. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 22, in Murray Funeral Home in Humansville. Services are at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 23, at the First Baptist Church of Humansville with the Rev. Joe Coppedge and the Rev. Ron Foley officiating. Interment is in Humansville Cemetery under the direction of Murray Funeral Home. Musical selections will be Peace in the Valley, Just a Closer Walk with Thee and Sweet By and By with Charley Ealy, soloist, and Margarette Payne, pianist. Palllbearers will be Jay Shelenhamer, Justin Wollard, Jody Shelenhamer, Jeff Shelenhamer, Steve Sheldon, Chris Franklin and Jack Bertalotto. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Brown, Vernon Cochran, Vince Hughes, Bob Payne, Mike Sprowls, Nathan Stokes, Roy Thompson, Kevin Fullbright and Brian Trout. Donations in Bysor s memory can be made to the First Baptist Church of Humansville and the Humansville Alumni Association. Online condolences may be submitted at www.murrayfuneralhomes.com. PDF Printable Version

James Bysor Shelenhamer

August 30, 1922 - May 19, 2014