Jay Harold Shelly

Jay Harold Shelly
December 5, 1943 – May 25, 2026

Florence - Jay Harold Shelly, 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 25, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Jay will be remembered for his deep love for his family, his unwavering faith, his kindness, and the steady strength and support he gave to those around him throughout his life.

Jay was born on December 5, 1943, in Manheim, Pennsylvania, to Menno Z. Shelly and Anna (Myers) Shelly. He was the fourth child of eight siblings and the first son in the family. Jay grew up on a dairy farm, where he learned the value of hard work, and perseverance, that stayed with him throughout his entire life.

In August of 1968, Jay traveled to Montana with a friend and quickly fell in love with both the state and the woman who would become the love of his life, Linda. He moved to Montana permanently on February 14, 1969, and he and Linda were married later that year on November 27th, at the Wesleyan Church in Hamilton.

When Jay moved to Montana, Linda’s parents, Perry and Emma Hochstetler, quickly became his family as well. They welcomed him with open arms, and over the years Perry became like a father to him. They loved Jay like a son, and the bond they shared remained deeply important throughout his life.

Linda was the center of Jay’s world. Their marriage was built on love, loyalty, faith, adventure, and unwavering partnership. Through every move, career change, challenge, and season of life, they stood side by side for more than 56 years, building a life and family together that meant everything to him.

Together they raised three daughters: Denise Linton (1971), Beverly Bohleen (1973), and Roxanne Shelly (1975). Although life took the family to Nebraska for a short period, most of their lives were rooted in Montana. Over the years, Jay and Linda made homes in the Bitterroot Valley, Sidney, and Helena, moving 13 times between 1969 and 1996 before finally settling back in the Bitterroot in 1995. They built their home in Florence, where they spent the next 30 years together.

Jay worked many different jobs throughout his life, always willing to do whatever was needed to provide for his family. Over the years he worked at Hales Creamery, Patton Motors as a mechanic and service manager, Snap-on Tools, and Mac Tools, where he earned promotions to district manager and regional manager. He worked for Merchant Delivery hauling freight and went on to become an owner-operator in the car hauling industry, a profession he truly enjoyed and from which he retired.

Even after retirement, Jay stayed active and took a part-time job at MQS, where he found much more than just work. The people at MQS became like family to him, and he truly valued the friendships, support, and sense of community he found there. He genuinely enjoyed going to work, the people he worked alongside, and the relationships he built during those years.

Family was always the center of Jay’s life. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his children and grandchildren. Throughout the years, Jay taught his daughters many life lessons about hard work and independence. Whether he was teaching them how to drive a manual transmission, target practice or attempting to teach them how to change oil, he did so with patience, humor, and love.

Jay especially treasured time spent with his grandchildren: Dezaree, Jacob, Kyler, Kaylynn, Emma, and Justin. Whether it was playing croquet, rides in the Ranger, sledding, fixing cars, or simply sitting and talking together, his grandchildren knew they were deeply loved. He enjoyed restoring cars over the years and often joked that he wished he had never sold the 1970 HEMI Tor Red Superbird, although selling it helped buy their first home together.

Over the years, Jay and Linda had several beloved dogs, but Hunter held a particularly special place in Jay’s heart. Hunter could often be found sitting right beside him while he drove, and Jay happily took endless walks with her. Their bond brought him so much joy and companionship.

One of Jay’s greatest passions was hunting and the many hunting camps and adventures shared with friends and family over the years. He loved the challenge, the outdoors, and finding the perfect camping spot deep in the mountains with his remarkable driving skills. Some of his favorite memories were the yearly hunting trips in eastern Montana with Linda’s father, Perry, trips he looked forward to every year.

In his later years, Jay enjoyed rebuilding a tractor, camping with Linda, sitting on the back deck enjoying the scenery, and simply spending quiet time together surrounded by family. Some of their favorite places to camp and make memories together were Holland Lake and Thompson Falls, places that held a special place in their hearts. Jay never met a stranger and easily made friends wherever they traveled. He always enjoyed meeting new people while camping and visiting with those around him.

Above all else, Jay loved Christ. His faith was immeasurable and deeply important to him. Nothing mattered more than making sure his family knew the love of Christ and the importance of faith.

Jay will be remembered for his unwavering love for his family, his hard work, his wisdom, and the quiet strength that carried so many through difficult times. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched and the family he cherished so completely.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, Menno and Anna Shelly; his in-laws, Perry and Emma Hochstetler; his sister, Lois Wenger; his son-in-law, Greg Linton; and his brother-in-law, Paul Charles.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Shelly; his daughters, Denise Linton, Beverly Bohleen (JR), and Roxanne Shelly; his grandchildren, Dezaree, Jacob (Kaylee), Kyler, Kaylynn, Emma, and Justin; his siblings, Ethel Shelly, Ruthann Charles, Robert Shelly (Elmeta), Glen Shelly (Ruth), Doris Zimmerman (Berry), and Deloris Potocnik (Todd); along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jay’s memory to Vision Beyond Borders at visionbeyondborders.org or to a charity meaningful to you.

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