Kent D. Shelhamer, Sr.

Kent D. Shelhamer, Sr., 99, of North Centre Township, died early Friday morning, May 31, 2024 at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.

Born November 30, 1924 in Orangeville, he was a son of the late Lester S. and Bertha (Howell) Shelhamer.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 73 years, Mary J. (Holmes) Shelhamer, who died April 1, 2022.  

Mr. Shelhamer was a graduate of Orangeville High School.  He faithfully served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II as a Sergeant in Company C, 1st Engineer Combat Battalion.  He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal.

When he returned from the war he took over the operation of the family farm and successfully owned and operated Shelhamer Farms in North Centre Township for decades. Later he became active in local politics through the township position of auditor, moving up to school board member.  He was proud to be a part of the school board that put together the Central Columbia Jointure (Central Columbia School District) and helped oversee the building of Central Columbia High School.  He was first elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, 109th District, in 1964, where he served for 12 years.  He was later named Secretary of Agriculture under Governor Shapp's administration where he served for 8 years and later served as a Columbia County Commissioner.

Mr. Shelhamer also served as Superintendent  of Agriculture for the Bloomsburg Fair for many years and was a former President of Briar Creek Mutual Insurance Company.  

He was a member of Shiloh Bible Church in Almedia where he served as a Sunday School teacher and was previously a long-time and active member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church.  He was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout Pack Leader.  He was a member of Oriental Lodge, No. 460, F.& A.  M., of Orangeville; Caldwell Consistory of Bloomsburg; and Irem Temple of Dallas. He was also a life member of the Orangeville Fire Company and a founding member of the Orangeville Sportsmen's Club.  

His hobbies included boating, water skiing and shooting.

Surviving are his three children:  Kent D. Shelhamer, Jr. and his companion, Lori, of Berwick; Rebecca J. Knorr and her husband, Robert, of Berwick; Cindy E. Sides and  her husband, Fred, of Ellicott City, MD; daughter-in-law, Carolyn Shelhamer, of Berwick; son-in-law, Jerry Wall, of Dallas; grandchildren:  Bryan Shelhamer, John Shelhamer; Jean Elizabeth Knorr, Jeffrey R. Knorr and his wife, Stephanie; Julie Youssefi and her husband, Tony; Carl  Shelhamer, Mollie Flick and her husband, Jarrod; Jenna Hutchison and her husband, David; and great grandchildren: Maxwell Shelhamer, Zacharia Youssefi, Elias Youssefi, Joseph Youssefi  and Augustine Hutchison.

Along with his parents, and wife, Mary, he was preceded in death by a son, Steven L. Shelhamer on May 24, 2022; a daughter, Carol L. Wall on November 21, 2023; and three sisters:  Zoe Shomate, Jean Bowman and Dorothy Stiner.  

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 6th, 2024, at 10 AM at the Stillwater Christian Church, 39 McMichael Street, Stillwater, with Pastor Scott Lyons, Stillwater Christian Church and Pastor Doug Lyon, of Shiloh Bible Church, officiating. Viewing will be held Wednesday from 5 to 7 PM at the Church.  Oriental Lodge will conduct Masonic Services Wednesday at 4:45 PM at the Church.  Burial will be in the Ebenezer Cemetery, North Centre Township with full military honors.  

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Ebenezer Cemetery Association, c/o Don Edwards, 89 Mountain Road, Berwick, PA 18603. 

The McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton is honored to serve the Shelhamer Family.  For online condolences, or for additional information, please visit our website:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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