Fred J. Shepherd, Sr., 81, Enjoyed Gardening and Cooking
Fred J. Shepherd, Sr., age 81, of Elyria Township, passed away on Saturday January 25, 2014 while a patient at University Hospitals – Case Medical Center in Cleveland.
He was born in Elyria on October 25, 1932 and was a 1952 graduate of Elyria High School.
Fred was employed as a foreman in the home improvement and repair division of Sears & Roebuck Company; he retired in 1995 following a career that spanned thirty-nine years with the retailer. Previously, he had worked as a production assistant for the American Standard Corporation.
Mr. Shepherd was a parishioner of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elyria Township. He was a member of the National Rifle Association as well as an avid fan of NASCAR where he followed the Ford factory teams. In addition, he enjoyed gardening as well as watching all Cleveland professional sports teams. Fred enjoyed cooking and was especially well-known for his baked bean recipe.
He is survived by his wife of forty-three years Kathy (nee Brown), by sons Mike Shepherd and Mark Shepherd (Jackie) both of Elyria, Fred J. Shepherd, Jr. (Abby) of Lorain, by daughters Elaine Brown (Jim) of Oberlin, Laurie Marciniak (Greg) of Lorain, and Teri Thomas (Tony) of Elyria, along with twenty-one grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren. He also leaves sisters Joan Stang and Betty Pribanic both of Elyria, his brother Dan Shepherd (Karen) of Elyria, sister-in-law Judy Shepherd of North Ridgeville and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Ellsworth and Marian (nee Gifford) Shepherd, by his brother Ed Shepherd, and by sisters Katherine Diederich and Dorothy Morgan.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will begin with closing prayers in the funeral chapel at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. in St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church – 41295 North Ridge Road in Elyria Township. Reverend Donald Dunson, pastor of the parish will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, Elyria.
The family encourages memorial contributions to either St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, the American Cancer Society, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
To share your memories and condolences with Fred’s family, please visit www.gluvna.net.