Leona Shelby

Leona Ferkel Shelby, age 100, of Paducah, Kentucky, departed this life on Friday, October 18, 2024, at Providence Pointe.
 
Leona was born on Sunday, August 24, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late Gustave “Gus” Henry Ferkel and the late Marie W. (Leber) Ferkel. She grew up in the historic German village of Maeystown, (Monroe County), Illinois. She attended Maeystown High School and graduated from Waterloo High School. She moved to Paducah in 1952 and was a 29 year employee of the City of Paducah, holding the position of city property evaluator, and retired from the city property inspection department in 1986. She was a volunteer in the Lourdes Hospital Auxiliary following her retirement, volunteering in the gift shop for 27 years. Leona was a former member of the:  Lone Oak Women’s Club, Unity United Church of Christ, Paducah/McCracken County Senior Citizens Kitchen Band, and a former participant in the Senior Olympics. She was an active and oldest member of Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Lone Oak. She enjoyed visiting with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and was an avid card player. She will be greatly missed by her many family members and friends.
 
Mrs. Shelby is survived by her daughter, Sharon (Bill) Porterfield of Washington, Illinois; her son Randy G. Shelby of Paducah; eight grandchildren, Jody Porterfield, Stacey Remmert, Tara (Kevin) Basso, Brian (Jenna) Shelby, Jonathan (Katy) Shelby, Brenton (Cassondra) Shelby, Stephen (Rachel) Shelby, and Melanie Shelby; seven great-grandchildren, twins, Cameron and Taylor Shelby, Landon Shelby, Leiana Shelby, Leela, Shelby, Cooper Shelby, and Rowan Shelby.
 
Mrs. Shelby was preceded in death not only by her parents , but also by her husband of 50 years, William V. Shelby; her son, David W. Shelby; and her sister, Vera June (Ferkel) Hoffman.
 
Funeral services are scheduled for 1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home with Rev. Bud Russell officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.
 
Visitation will be held from 11:00 A.M-1:00 P.M. Saturday, October 26, 2024 at the Lone Oak Chapel.
 
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to Highland Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3950 Lovelaceville Rd. Paducah, KY 42001 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Lourdes Hospital Auxiliary, 1530 Lone Oak Rd. Paducah, KY 42003.
 
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