Obituary of Betty Jane Shelly

Betty Jane Lupke was born in Monroe, Michigan on July 17, 1924.   She was the daughter of the late Oscar H. Lupke and the late Beatrice Thelma (Barton) Lupke.   Betty was confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church and attended Monroe High School graduating with the Class of 1942.  

During World War II, Betty, assisted with the war effort by working at the Willow Run Bomber Plant as a Telephone Operator.   She married the late Gerald R. Shelly in Monroe on November 3, 1945.   The couple would share seventy-one wonderful years of marriage before his passing on December 3, 2016.   Betty cared for the needs of her husband and two daughters as a homemaker.   She was very particular when caring for her family and home, and she felt that everything had its place.

The family received their spiritual nourishment attending Trinity Lutheran Church in Monroe.   Betty enjoyed playing golf and often crocheted in her free time.

Betty Jane Shelly, age 94, of Monroe passed away at ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital at 12:45pm on Saturday, July 21, 2018.   In addition to her parents and husband her passing was preceded by a daughter:  Pamela Bowen on June 28, 2015; a brother:  Richard Lupke; a sister:  Mary Ann Toburen; nephew:  Dennis Toburen; and two nieces:  Laura Lee Pommaville and Judith Robinson.

To cherish her memory, she leaves a daughter: Roxanne (Thomas) Martensen of Monroe; son-in-law: Tom Bowen of Southgate; seven grandchildren: Brian T. (Karen) Martensen, Bridget (Joseph) Huss, Erin (Scott) House, Susan Zarenski, Patricia (Scott) Johnson, Heather (Eric) Woelkers, and Thomas (Crystal) Bowen; twelve great-grandchildren; two nephews:  Richard Toburen and Bruce Toburen; two nieces:  Sandra Wagenhauser and Christine Kerr; and a sister-in-law:  Mary L. Lupke. 

Friends may gather from 1:00pm until a funeral service at 2:00pm on Wednesday; July 25, 2018 at the Wellspring Lutheran Services Chapel, 1236 South Monroe Street, Monroe, MI 48161 with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth of Trinity Lutheran Church officiating.   Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for burial.   Arrangements have been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, MI (734) 384-5185.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Wellspring Lutheran Services. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com