COLUMBIANA – Shirley M. Mellinger, 81, passed away early Monday morning, April 3, 2017 at St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center.

She was born on May 30, 1935 in Enon Valley, PA, a daughter of Clark I. and Agnes (Tyson) McCowin.  Her family moved to Greenford when she was three years old; Shirley would later move to Columbiana in 1985. She married Luster C. Mellinger on August 10, 1951 and together they would raise five children.  Shirley was a homemaker and enjoyed reading and sewing.  She belonged to Calvary United Methodist Church of North Lima for many years.

Shirley leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Larry (Judie) of Columbiana, Robert (Nancy) of Warren, Jeff (Jeanine) of Columbiana, and daughter Judy Trussell of Columbiana; twelve grandchildren, two, Jennifer (David) and Ken of which she raised after her daughter Janis' death in 1983, Sarah, Brenda, Jessica, Erin, Megan, Larry, Angela, Kurt, Corey and Lauren; thirteen great grandchildren; and two sisters, Frances Young and Luella Brunner, both of Columbiana.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Luster, who passed away January 12, 2013; her daughter Janis Stephenson; three sisters Pearl Dunham, Edith Spooner, and Olive Durk; and four brothers, Everett, who was killed during WWII, Paul, Ralph, and David.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, April 9 at 5:00 p.m. at Calvary United Methodist Church,   12062 South Ave. North Lima, OH with Pastor Renae Meggitt officiating.

The family would like to thank the staffs at Parkside Health Care Center and St. Mary's Alzheimer's Center for their kindness and excellent care they gave Shirley.

The family has entrusted Seederly-Mong & Beck Funeral Home in Columbiana, Ohio with the arrangements for their loved one.

Family and friends are invited to visit www.seederly-mongandbeck.com to sign the guestbook or send private condolences.