Merle Evelyn Shilling, age 86, of Pottsboro, TX entered into rest on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at her residence, surrounded by her loving family. Evelyn was born on April 16, 1929 in Osawatomie, Kansas to Earl & Edith Nutt Brown. She married Dean Shilling on May 1, 1949 in Waverly, Kansas. She was a very busy lady, starting as a one-room school teacher, then a mother. She eventually became a co-owner of a bakery thus beginning a lengthy career as a business woman. She owned her own second hand store, a lumber yard and continued as an entrepreneur. Evelyn was always very involved in community activities. At one time she was president of the Texas DAVA (Disable American Veterans Auxiliary). She worked for Sam’s Wholesale Club for eleven years. She also was a nature pathologist. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school in Waverly, KS.
She is survived by her children; sons; Terry D. Shilling & Linda of Pottsboro; Owen M. Shilling & Mary Ann of Louisville, Kentucky; daughters, Judy A. Abney & Sammy of Hobbs, New Mexico; Penny Shelton & Joe Dan of Bells; step-daughter, Linda Miller & Bob of Trinity, Texas; grandchildren, Monte Wright, Kirsten Kimble, Terry Shilling II, Timothy Shilling, Tina Westbrook, Josephine Crow, Janetta Sharma, Joanna Lyon, Karen Shilling, Daniel Shilling, Dena Abney, Rebecca Ford, Cynthia Barker, Taylor Shelton, Clayton Shelton, Matthias Shelton, Samuel Shelton, Ezra Shelton, Penny-Jo Shelton, Sarah-Jo Shelton, Talitha Shelton, Reuben Shelton and Stephen Shelton; 22 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Shilling, 2006.
Funeral service was held Saturday, January 23, 2016, 2:00 p.m. at Bells Church of Christ, Bells; officiating was Brother Howard Horton. Interment followed at Rose Hill Cemetery, Bells.
Pallbearers were Terry D, Shilling, Timothy Shilling, Clayton Shelton, Matthias Shelton, Samuel Shelton, Ezra Shelton and Kevin Shilling.