Bruce Earl Shelar's Obituary
Bruce Earl Shelar was born October 31, 1949 in Warren, OH. He passed away peacefully on July 3, 2018, surrounded by his family in Gainesville, FL. He grew up in Warren, Ohio and moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1967. He served in the United States Navy and Naval Reserves for five years from 1970 to 1975, where he earned a National Defense Service Medal. He worked for Feldspar / Edgar Minerals for 44 years from 1972 - 2016.
He enjoyed fishing with his family. Just as much as catching fish, he enjoyed baiting hooks and untangling lines of loved ones. He loved spending time near the water, especially Palm Coast and dreamed of being a ranger at Washington Park in his retirement. He enjoyed collecting guns, target shooting with his son Phillip, and negotiating for stuff at pawn shops, flea markets and yard sales. His favorite movies were westerns like Quigley Down Under and Gun Smoke. His favorite music was Rock & Roll, especially Tom Petty, Eric Clapton and Jethro Tull. He was an exceptional chef with specialties including Oysters “Brucefeller,” all things grilled and a super moist Thanksgiving Turkey. He loved making people happy and making people laugh. And he was good at it.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Elizabeth Shelar and his father, John David Shelar. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Michele Hiers Shelar and three children, Scott Shelar (Wife, Kara Martin), Cheri Shelar, and Phillip Shelar (Wife, Ashley Shelar); five grandchildren, Shelbi Powell, Martin Shelar, Nikki Cesario, Brice Cesario and Sophie Shelar; one great grandchild, Chance Powell, and three brothers, Wayne Shelar, Gary Shelar and David Shelar.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 N Main Street, Gainesville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the University of Florida Cancer Center online at www.uff.ufl.edu/give-now/?fund_id=017791, or mailed to Office of Development, P.O. Box 103633, Gainesville, FL 32610, with “Metastatic Cancer Research, Technology and Patient Program Fund (017791)/ In memory of Bruce Shelar” included on the memo line; or memorial donations may be made to Haven Hospice in Gainesville, FL at www.beyourhaven.org/donate, or mailed to 4200 NW 90 Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606.
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