Donald Shelhart, Jr., died on July 12, 2022, at the age of 93. He passed away peacefully while surrounded by family, at the Logansport home he shared for many years with his beloved wife, Frances, who survives.
Don was born on October 24, 1928, in Kenneth, Ind., the oldest child and only son of Don Sr. and Ethel (Good) Shelhart. He graduated from Burnettsville High School in 1946, and around the same time began his relationships with the two things that would define his next seven decades: Frances (Gordon) Shelhart and the Logansport spring business.
His professional life began in 1946 with a job at Logansport Spring. While there, he made the acquaintance of Frances Gordon, then a waitress at his favorite lunch-break restaurant. They married on September 24, 1950, at Broadway United Brethren Church, and went on to enjoy the blessing of almost 72 years wed.
Don’s time in the local spring industry also stretched for more than 70 years. He retired in 2019 at age 90, after long tenures at Logansport Spring, Muehlhausen Bros., Rockwell, and Matthew-Warren where his expertise and dedication were admired by all.
Don bettered his community in countless ways beyond the factory, as well. He served on both the Logansport City Council and Cass County Council, eventually completing a longer combined membership on those bodies than any other public servant in county history. He also served as a National Guardsman and a board member for the Cass County Y.
A lifelong Methodist who was most recently a member of First UMC, he was also an active member of the United Churchmen of Cass County. He enjoyed volunteering for church activities, and over the years led a youth mission trip to New Mexico and helped organize many Loaves and Fishes lunches. In 2002, he was named a Pharos-Tribune Good Neighbor alongside his wife Frances.
Perhaps most famously for some, he loved mowing lawns. Don operated a private lawnmowing business for most of his adult life and took meticulous care of his own yard — an avocation that helped beautify many acres of Logansport land.
Above all, though, “Donnie” was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and family man. He is survived by his children, Jeff (Colleen) Shelhart of Hickory, N.C., and Susan (Tim) Cahalan of Logansport; his grandchildren, Scott (Sue) Shelhart of Claypool, Ind., Brad (Tabitha) Shelhart of Silver Lake, Ind., Sarah Cahalan of Chicago, and Laura Cahalan (Alex Berko) of Cleveland; his step-grandchildren, Christy (Ben) Cook of Washington, D.C., Hillary Colt of Rochester, Ind., and Tyler (Kelly) Colt of Warsaw, Ind.; and 10 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and by two sisters, Patsy Haselby and Carolyn Winters.
The family would like to thank Dr. Keven Dodt, Dr. Taylor Ortiz, and Premier Hospice for their compassionate care.
The funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Kroeger Funeral Home, with Pastor Tim McKaig presiding.
Burial will be private.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. on Friday, July 15, at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Logansport Children’s Choir, P.O. Box 1026, Logansport IN 46947, or the Indiana Ronald McDonald House (affiliated with Riley Children’s Hospital), 435 Limestone Street, Indianapolis IN 46202.
Condolences and personal remembrances may be left online at www.kroegerfuneralhome.com.