Shelly, Timothy Jay (1955-1971)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Jul 1 p. 11

Birth date: 1955

text of obituary:

Pastor's Son Fatally Injured

North Newton, Kan. — An accident on Highway 15 at the edge of the Bethel College campus Wednesday morning, June 23, resulted in fatal injuries to Timothy Jay Shelly, 16, son of Rev. and Mrs. Kenneth Shelly of North Newton. Rev. Shelly is pastor of the Hebron Mennonite Church at Buhler.

While at the college tennis courts, Tim borrowed a motorcycle from a friend and rode it back and forth on 29th Street. He apparently was attempting to turn around at the highway when he rode into the left rear fender of a southbound auto pulling a trailer.

He was taken to Bethel Deaconess Hospital by ambulance, suffering from a badly fractured leg and internal injuries. An extra supply of blood was brought from Wichita, and doctors performed surgery in an effort to save his life. He died in the early afternoon, about six hours after the accident.

Tim had completed his sophomore year at Newton High School, and had been elected to the student council for the coming year.

Survivors in addition to the parents include two sisters, Patty and Doris, and two brothers, Andrew and John, all of the home; and the grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Howard L. Shelly of Quakertown, Pa. and Mrs. Eva Rupert of Allentown, Pa.

Private graveside services for the family were conducted Friday afternoon in Greenwood Cemetery. A largely attended memorial service was held in the evening at the Bethel College Church, of which Tim was a member. Dr. Lloyd L. Ramseyer and Rev. Esko Loewen officiated. The service included singing of hymns by the congregation, reading of poems written by Tim, and singing of several songs by his sister, Patty. After the service the congregation and friends were invited to the fellowship hall for an informal time with family members.

The Mennonite obituary: 1971 Jul 6 p. 447