Leo R. “Pap” Shellenberger, 82, of Mifflintown, formerly of Port Royal, entered Eternity from Brookline Manor on February 11, 2016 in the presence of his devoted and loving family.
Leo, son of the late Loraine O. “Cricket” and Esther (Schwab) Shellenberger, was born in Port Royal on August 17, 1933. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Leona (Taylor) Shellenberger.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Leo R. Shellenberger II and his wife Dawn, of Beaver Springs; Charles Douglas Shellenberger and his wife Cathy, of Mifflintown; John D. Shellenberger and his wife Angela, of Port Royal and Malinda S. (Shellenberger) Geedey, of Mifflintown. He is survived by 14 grandchildren: Tillie Geedey, of Philadelphia; Tina Smith and her husband Chad, of Mifflintown; Danielle Swartz and her husband Mark, of Selinsgrove, Laura Orehowsky and her husband Michael, of Gibsonia; Marianne Jones and her husband Toby, of McAlisterville; Caleb Shellenberger and his wife Laura, of McAlisterville; Cody Shellenberger and his wife Cortney, of McAlisterville; Cara Shirk and her husband James, of Mifflintown; Joshua Shellenberger, of Mifflintown; Isaac Shellenberger and his companion Dana Hampton, of Port Royal; Benjamin Shellenberger, of Lewistown; Lila and Jackson Shellenberger, of Port Royal, and Timothy Barger, of Lewistown. He is also survived by three step-grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, his brother, Charles E. Shellenberger and sister, PatsyAnn Harris as well as several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by a sister Jessie S. Gilson and her husband Dr. John I. Gilson, a brother-in-law, Dr. Robert T. Harris, Jr., and a nephew Wm. Fritz Gilson.
Leo was a cherished husband and devoted father, as well as an adored grandfather and great-grandfather who enjoyed camping with his wife, family and friends. He looked forward to the annual gathering of his family on Christmas Eve in his home. After snow storms, he got great enjoyment in helping neighbors by taking his John Deere tractor and clearing driveways.
With a heart to serve his community Leo was a life member of Friendship Fire Company #1 of Port Royal where he was a volunteer fireman from his early teens, later serving as president and secretary. Following in the footsteps of his mother, he served as President of the fire company’s Ladies Auxiliary where he also was manager of banquet services for twenty years. After volunteering as a driver for Port Royal Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for many years, he became an EMT in 1994. In continuing his desire to serve others, he became a Basic Life Support instructor for the American Heart Association. In October 1999 Seven Mountains EMS Council recognized his efforts and dedication to the improvement of emergency medical services in Juniata County.
He was a current member of Cedar Grove Brethren in Christ Church and a former member of Port Royal Lutheran Church where he taught Sunday school to fourth and fifth graders. For many years, he was a PIAA referee of soccer, basketball, and baseball in Juniata, Perry, and Mifflin Counties.
In contribution to the community he loved, he was General Chairman of the Juniata County Sesquicentennial Celebration in 1962 and then in 1976 was General Chairman of the Port Royal Bicentennial Parade.
In his teenage years he was employed by the Midway Drive-In Theatre and was a part-time employee of J. Robert Stimmel Funeral Home 1950-1964. In 1953 he graduated from Tuscarora Valley High School and became employed by the PA Department of Revenue. He was a block operator for PRR from 1954 to 1964. In 1964 he was employed by Prudential Insurance Company of America until retirement in 1994. He received the Prudential Community Service Award in 1976, which notably included a cash award to the fire company. He was a Past President of Juniata Valley Life Underwriters Association, named a Senior Chair of the Life Underwriter Training Council in 1976, and received the National Quality Award from NALU several times.
A funeral service will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 14, 2016 from the Brown Funeral Homes, Inc., 100 Bridge Street, Mifflintown.
A viewing will be held from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service, Sunday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friendship Fire Company #1, P.O. Box 174, Port Royal, PA 17082.

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