Betty Louise Shelby Mears, 101, of Saint Marys, died 10:10 A.M. Thursday, September 17, 2026, at Otterbein Retirement Community, where she had lived for the past 10 years.

She was born September 22, 1924, at the family farm on Koenig Road near Saint Marys, the daughter of Otah and Margaret (Koenig) Wright. She married her childhood sweetheart, James Shelby, on May 1, 1946, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, and he preceded her in death in 1993. She married Earl Mears on August 30, 1997, and he preceded her in death in 2002.

She is survived by her children: Patrick (Shelia) Shelby of Gahanna, Ohio; Chris Shelby Metz of Minster; Connie Shelby Miller of Alexandria, Virginia; by her daughter-in-law, Donna Shelby of New Knoxville; by her step-children: Dixie (Bill) Davies of Seneca, South Carolina; Debbie (Adrian) Wenning of Somerset, Kentucky.

She is survived by her grandchildren: Michael (Katie) Shelby; David (Erin) Shelby; Jeff Metz; Nathan Metz; Mindy Miller (Charlie) Burts; Shaun Miller; Margaret Shelby (Scott) McMichael; Steven (Emily) Shelby.

She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, a son, Mark Shelby; her siblings: Etta "Sis" (Lester)Skinner; Margarite Wright; Don (Opal) Wright; George (Gladys) Wright; Wilma "Willie" (Tom) Shelby; by her step-daughter. Sandy (Dean) Armour.; by her son-in-law, Jim Miller.

Betty graduated from Saint Marys Memorial High School, and was the last surviving member of her class.

After graduation she worked at the local telephone company as a switchboard operator during World War II. She was a member of the Friendly Neighbors Club and had served as a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts. Betty and her husband, Jim, were charter members of the Tri-Squares Square Dancing Club in Saint Marys. She was the sewing advisor for the Saint Marys Merry Makers 4-H Club and was an excellent seamstress and baker. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, and was honored to receive a birthday card on her 100th birthday from the President of the United States. She was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church.

Funeral rites will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Miller-Long and Folk Funeral Home, 314 West High Street, Saint Marys, her 102nd birthday. Burial will follow at Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery.

Friends may call from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home, where memorial gifts may be given to the Autism Society.

Memories and condolences may be sent to Betty's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.