Robin and Barbara Shellhammer along with their daughter, Whitney Meinke passed away unexpectedly, Sunday, March 26, 2017 from injuries sustained in an auto accident.
Robin, 60, was born in Willard, Ohio on December 14, 1956 to Lloyd and Joyce (Archer) Shellhammer. Barbara, 56, was born in Springfield, Illinois on October 30, 1960 to Edward and Dorothy (Hampton) Johansen. Robin and Barb were united in marriage on May 8, 1981. Robin was a mechanical designer for his entire career and spent nearly 27 years at SSOE in Toledo, Ohio. Barb was the founder of Nourish Early Learning in Oregon, Ohio. Barb had an immense passion for children and dedicated her entire life to their development and to making others' lives better. Barb and Robin's love of children was nowhere more apparent than when spending time with their own and their three grandchildren. They also enjoyed spending time with friends and family, who will all recognize and know of Robin's sarcastic wit and endless list of house projects to complete, and of Barb's uniquely kind heart and comforting presence.
Whitney, 33, was born in Oregon, Ohio to Robin and Barb on September 22, 1983. She was a graduate of Clay High School in 2002 and received her Bachelors of Education from Lourdes University. Whitney was a third grade teacher at R.C. Waters Elementary School in Oak Harbor, Ohio. On April 24, 2009, she married Luke Meinke, and together they have two sons, Frey and Finn. Known for her bright smile, infectious laugh and genuineness; every encounter with Whitney refreshed your spirit. Whitney had many friends and loved them deeply, though her greatest love she reserved for her two boys. Her summers off from school when she could spend every day with her boys, were days that she treasured the most.
Robin, Barb and Whitney were widely admired and adored. Their characteristic kindness, selflessness and sincerity gained the affection and trust of countless friends. To their children, Robin, Barb and Whitney were their whole world, and to their family and friends they were a world of comfort and joy.
Robin and Barb are survived by their children, Zachary Shellhammer, Miken (Tim) Oliver, Alexandra (Josh) Bernath; son-in-law, Luke Meinke; grandchildren, Frey, Finn and Harrison. Mother and mother-in-law, Dorothy "Dottie" Johansen; Robin's siblings, Ric (Kathy), Doug, Scott (Kathy) Shellhammer; Barb's siblings, Edward (Karen) Johansen, Kim (David) Ingwersen, Joy (Todd) Slaman, Karen (Tom) Willer, Don Johansen, Glenn Johansen. Robin and Barb were preceded in death by Robin's parents, Barb's father; sister-in-law, Angie Shellhammer.
Whitney is survived by her husband, Luke; and her sons, Frey and Finn; all three of them were the loves of her life. She is also survived by her siblings, Zachary, Miken, and Alexandra; mother-in-law, Becky Meinke; sister-in-law, Dana (Kevin) Shull; brother-in-law, Jed (Stephanie) Meinke. She was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Charles Meinke.
Visitation will be held on Thursday from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Millbury Chapel, 1111 Woodville Road, Millbury, Ohio. Private funeral services will be held on Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Blackberry Corners. An evening remembrance vigil will be open to the public to attend on Friday, March 31 at 7:30 pm at Clay Memorial Stadium, Seaman Road, Oregon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials for Robin, Barb and Whitney be made online to the Shellhammer/Meinke Memorial on Go Fund Me, which will be used for the education of Frey and Finn Meinke and for Nourish Early Learning. If you do not wish to give online, memorials can also be sent to the funeral home noting the Shellhammer/Meinke Memorial.