Richard Stephen Shelby

July 9, 1953 – October 14, 2023

Richard "Steve" Shelby died from a stroke surrounded by his loving family on October 14th, 2023, at the age of 70.  This was his second known stroke after heroically battling back from a near fatal stroke in 2017.

Born in Christopher, Illinois on July 9th, 1953, he grew up in Southern Illinois and graduated from West Frankfort High School in 1971. He was the only child of Mary Jane (Kiwala) Shelby and Richard Curtis Shelby. Following high school, he enrolled at his beloved University of Illinois-Champaign where he was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. He met the love of his life, Debbie, in 1979 and they married on September 8, 1979.

Upon graduation he embarked on a successful 35+ year career in the steel-making and raw materials industry.  He spent more than 20 years working at Inland Steel Company, mostly in East Chicago, IN.  He worked in a variety of positions of increasing responsibility, including Section Manager of the operations and cost performance of two blast furnaces and one sinter plant.  He was also the Section Manager for Raw Materials.  He then worked for close to 15 years at Essex Trading, a metals trading company in Illinois, where he was responsible for buying and selling various commodities and raw materials. He ended his career as Vice President at Tube City IMS in Schererville, IN in the Raw Material and Optimization Group.

Steve was an active parishioner of St. Michael the Archangel Church in Schererville. Over his many years as a parishioner, he was involved in many ministries including Faith Formation, Pastoral Council, Hospitality, and Knights of Columbus.

Steve is survived by his loving wife and partner of 44 years, Debra Shelby, and the apples of his eye, his two daughters: Jacqueline (Greg) Krupinski and Jessica (Steve) Brown, and his four grandchildren: Madeline, Evan, Steven, and Beatrice.  All were at his side for his passing.

Steve will be remembered for his many passions – his family, Illinois sports, history, literature, music (especially The Rolling Stones), and his deep faith in God.  He also had an infectious sense of humor. Steve was always so grateful for the many blessings in his life. Family was everything to Steve, and he could not have been prouder of his wife, his daughters and sons-in-law, and his grandchildren.

Friends may visit with the family at Solan Pruzin Funeral Home, 14 Kennedy Avenue, Schererville, IN on Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 3:00PM – 7:00 PM. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, October 23, directly at St. Michael the Archangel Church, 1 E. Wilhelm Street, Schererville, IN 46375 with Rev. Martin J. Dobrzynski officiating. Friends may visit with the family at the church from 10:00 AM until time of Mass. Burial to follow at St. Michael Cemetery. Flowers are welcome, as well as donations to St. Michael the Archangel Church.