SHELBY LEE ESLINGER

Shelby Lee Eslinger, 90, of Richmond, MO, died at 10:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2010, at Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Richmond.
Shelby was born June 29, 1920 in Hardin, MO to William and Laura (Nichols) Eslinger. He married Maxine Vialle of Lexington, MO on January 22, 1946; she survives of the home.
Other survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Barbara Ann and Bob Fifer of Hardin; two grandchildren and their spouses, Amy Leann Deitch and her husband, James and Robert Scott Fifer and his wife, Johnna; and four great-grandchildren, Haylee Elizabeth Deitch, Zachary Todd Deitch, Libby Kate Fifer and Brody Scott Fifer.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert William Eslinger and Edward Sterling Eslinger; and two sisters, Hannah Holsinger and Virginia Burney.
Shelby was a lifelong farmer and stockman. He was a 1938 graduate of Hardin High School and lived most of his life in Hardin. He was a member of the Hardin United Methodist Church where he had served on the Administration Council, on the Board of Trustees and as Communion Steward. He was a member of the Hardin Cemetery Board, Hardin American Legion Post #487, VFW, and two Levee Districts. He had served on the Board of Directors at the Hardin State Bank.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion.
The family suggests memorial contributions be made to the Hardin United Methodist Church or the Alzheimer's Unit at Shirkey Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 3, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Hardin, MO. Visitation will be Friday, September 3, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Hardin, MO. Burial will be at Hardin Cemetery, Hardin, MO, where military graveside services will be conducted. Thurman Funeral Home, Richmond, MO is in charge of the arrangements.