Blake Justeen Shilling, 104

Blake Justeen Shilling, 104, of West Unity, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Hillside Country Living, Bryan, Ohio. Born in Waldron, Michigan, on August 12, 1918, to Sara (Black) Boyd and Fred Boyd, she married Charles C. Shilling on August 6, 1938. He proceeded her is death on October 16, 1982. She was a 1935 graduate of Waldron High School. After graduation from Cleary College Business School in Ypsilanti, Michigan, she was employed by the Strelinger Company in Detroit. As a homemaker, she worked with her husband to operate their Fulton County dairy farm. In 1949, she pioneered the idea of farm vacations in northwest Ohio, as advertised in the “Farm Vacations and Holidays” magazine. Beginning in 1962, she became part-time secretary for the Zone School as well as full-time treasurer for the school board. From 1966 until her retirement in 1982, she was the treasurer for the Four County Joint Vocational School and Career Center. She was a member of the West Franklin United Methodist Church for over 70 years, where she served as treasurer of the WSCS for several years. Most recently, Blake attended the West Unity United Methodist Church. Her favorite volunteer position was assisting the Rangers at Canaveral National Seashore Park during her 28 winters in Florida. In her free time, she enjoyed reading, traveling, and playing bridge, but most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Surviving are five children, Jane K. Hartnett of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Janet L. McCarthy of Bryan, Charles W. “Bill” (Judy) Shilling of Bryan, Joseph E. “Ed” Shilling of Newell, West Virginia, and Betsy A. (Steve) Harr of Orlando, Florida. Her 14 grandchildren, include Sheila Hartnett, Kevin Hartnett, Molly McHugh, Tim McCarthy, Pam Ledbetter, Debbie Levine, Mike Shilling, Doug Shilling, Amy Azzarello, Jason Shilling, Kris Norden, Sandi Naas, Matt Harr, and Shannon Furey. There are also 36 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Betsy Jones of Hillsdale, Michigan. Preceding her in death, in addition to her parents and her husband of 44 years, were three brothers, Stuart, Byron and Bill Boyd; four sisters, Mildred Cotter, Nora Dolan, Martha Fidler, and Pat Peebles; and two sons-in-law, Richard Hartnett and Bill McCarthy; one great-great-grandson, William McCarthy.

Visitation for Blake J. Shilling will be held Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the West Unity United Methodist Church, 311 N Liberty Street, West Unity, Ohio 43570. A memorial service celebrating her life will immediately follow in the church beginning at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Ric Beals officiating. Arrangements have been entrusted to Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 202 North Liberty Street, West Unity, Ohio.

Memorial contributions can be directed to either the West Franklin United Methodist Church, or to the West Unity United Methodist Church.