Mary J. (Holmes) Shelhamer

Mary J. Shelhamer, 100, died at home and passed into the loving arms of her Savior on April 1. Mary was the wife of Kent D. Shelhamer, Sr., Berwick.

Mary was born on May 24, 1921, the daughter of George W. Holmes and Florence (Trumpore) Holmes. She grew up in Huntington Mills and spent many happy hours on the banks of Huntington Creek.

A graduate of Huntington Mills High School Class of 1938, Mary went on to study phlebotomy and eventually ran the blood bank for Binghamton Hospital, Binghamton, NY. In 1948, she married the love of her life, Kent, and moved to North Centre Township where she took on the role of farm wife at the apple and peach orchard. Together Mary and Kent raised five children and ran a successful business.

Mary enjoyed traveling and crossed the United States several times by car with her husband. Kent’s political career and community involvement gave her many opportunities to make friends throughout the area.

Mary had a talent for music and was the pianist and organist at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, where she was a member. She was involved in children’s ministry including Vacation Bible School, impacting many lives with her upbeat music and desire to bring the Bible to life for young believers.

She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her brother, Robert Holmes (Janet), and sisters Betty Holmes Tanner and Ruth Holmes Spencer (John).

Mary leaves behind a husband, Kent Shelhamer, Sr., as well as her children: Kent Shelhamer, Jr. of Berwick; Steven Shelhamer (Carolyn) of Berwick; Rebecca Knorr (Robert) of Berwick; Cindy Sides (Fred) of Ellicott City, Maryland; and Carol Wall (Jerry) of Dallas. In addition, she leaves grandchildren: Bryan Shelhamer, John Shelhamer, Jean Elizabeth Knorr, Julie Knorr Youssefi (Tony), Jeff Knorr (Stephanie), Carl Shelhamer, Molly Shelhamer and Jenna Shelhamer Hutchinson (David) and great grandchildren: Max Shelhamer, Zak Youssefi, Elias Youssefi, and Joseph Youssefi.

Services will be Friday, April 8, 2022, at 11 am with an hour of visitation at 10 am at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 687 State Route 93, Berwick. A time of visitation will also be held on Thursday evening from 5 to 7 pm at the Ebenezer Church. Pastor Doug Lyon, Shiloh Bible Church, Bloomsburg, and Pastor Deb Harvey, Ebenezer UMC, will officiate the service. Interment will be at the New Ebenezer Cemetery on Rt. 93 following the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Ebenezer Cemetery Association, c/o Carol Wall, 125 Lake St., Dallas PA 18612 or the charity of your choice.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., of Benton.  For online condolences, or for additional information, please visit our website:  www.mcmichaelfuneralhome.com

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