Fredric Eugene Sheller
Fredric Eugene Sheller, 99, passed away Sunday, January 8, 2023. He was born July 4, 1923, in Claysville, a son of James G. and Cora M. Hammett Sheller.
He graduated from Claysville High School, Class of 1941. Soon after he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the destroyer USS Murphy. The three major events of his Navy years were: surviving the collision and sinking of the Murphy off the coast of New Jersey; being onboard as Murphy escorted Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ship traveling to Malta; then escorting King Ibn Saud of Saudi Arabia to that conference; and later being onboard as an escort to medical ships going to Nagasaki, Japan.
After those years he continued his military life by joining the U.S. Air Force in June 1948. Soon after he was assigned to Weisbaden, Germany.
There he met Elizabeth Offermanns, who later became his wife. He adopted her son, Dieter. They were a very close-knit family. They traveled the world with the Air Force: Weisbaden, Germany; Mobile, Ala.; Rabat, Morocco; Wheelus AFB, Tripoli, Libya; Ramstein AFB, Germany; and McClellan AFB, Sacramento, Calif.
He retired in October 1965. A year later he took a civil service job at McClellan AFB in aircraft hydraulics / pneudraulics and retired once again in July 1978.
Fred enjoyed gardening especially tending to his rose garden. He also loved photography. In his last 10 years he became a member of the Rotary Club and was honored as a military veteran of their organization.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Lisbeth; and son, Dieter; as well as his siblings, James, Carl, Gaylord, Edgar, Howard, Robert, Paul, Elizabeth (Garrison/Sorocco) and Wayne.
Surviving are many nieces and nephews and their families: Ruth Anna Sheller Young, Samuel Sheller, Gene Sheller, Jane Sheller Teagarden, Kathleen Sheller McCann, Robert Sheller, Beverly Sheller Kaste, Cora Sheller Narigon, Connie Sheller Kiehl, Kenneth Sheller, Diana Sheller Burke, Nancy Garrison Hollowood, Keith Garrison, Deborah Sheller Raydo, Rebecca Sheller Johnson, Sharon Sheller Carlson, and Mary Sue Sheller Meints.
A graveside service at Mt. Vernon Memorial Park, Fair Oaks, Calif., was held February 3, with full military honors. Afterward, a memorial celebration of his life was held at his retirement community.