Penelope Ann Shifley
May 11, 1939 – April 15, 2024
Penelope Ann Shifley, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother went to be with Jesus on April 15, 2024 in Ashland, Ohio with her family by her side.
Penny, as she was known to her friends, was born in Lorain, Ohio to John W. and Edna P. Tufford. John was a salesman, and his jobs took the family all over the United States. She often mentioned that she went to ten different schools in nine years.
In 1958 she married Charles F. Shifley in Bucyrus, Ohio and had three children, daughters Melinda (Tom) Lueck, Kara (Wayne) Ruman, and son Jonathan (Heather) Shifley. Penny excelled at raising her children and was gifted at creating traditions and memories that stay part of the family to this day. It was important to her that her children had a childhood that was secure and stable, and she lived with her family for over 20 years on Sherwood Drive in Bucyrus, Ohio.
A gifted decorator with an eye for beauty and color coordination, Penny always had a wonderfully decorated home. She worked in flower shops all her life, even as a teenager, and always had an appreciation for a good floral arrangement or wreath.
Penny was a committed follower of Jesus, and she instilled that love of him into all three of her kids. She enjoyed sermons by Billy Graham and Charles Stanley, and she loved the Bible teaching of Les Feldick. Penny attended Grace Fellowship Church in Mansfield for many years and treasured her relationships there.
She was preceded in death by her parents John W. and Edna P. Tufford, her brother John Tufford, and her husband of fifty-five years, Charles Shifley.
Overall, Penny’s legacy will always be her kids, many grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. She will be missed greatly, but her family and friends are comforted that she is now in the presence of Jesus.
In accordance with Penny’s wishes, a private memorial service will be held at a future date. She will be laid to rest with her husband Charles in the columbarium at Grace Fellowship Church, 365 Straub Rd East, Mansfield, Ohio 44805. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to OPEN USA at 604 Buena Vista Avenue, Ashland Ohio 44805. Condolence cards can also be mailed to this address.
Online condolences may be shared online at the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
The Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory are handling the arrangements.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory
Website: denbowfh.com