Mrs. Karen M. (Davis) Shelly, 73, of Waynesboro, PA, passed away Wednesday, February 18, 2026, in her home after a brief illness.
Born March 12, 1952 in Waynesboro, she was the daughter of the late Charles A. Davis, Jr. and Gladys M. (Peiffer) Davis.
Karen was a graduate of Waynesboro Area Senior High School with the Class of 1970.
She and her husband of almost 51 years, George W. Shelly, were married on March 23, 1975 in Otterbein United Brethren Church, Greencastle.
In her early life, Karen was employed at Waynesboro Shoe Factory and Landis Machine Company. After her marriage, she dedicated many years to taking care of her home and raising her children. From 1985 to 2026, she worked along side her sister, Lucinda D. Potter, CPA, as an accounting assistant.
She was an active member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Quincy where she served and volunteered in many capacities including on the choir, alter guild, as a lector and cantor, vice president, Christmas caroling and with the annual Easter egg sale. For many years she volunteered her time helping in the kitchen at the Quincy Ox Roast. She also was a member of SpiriTrust Lutheran Home Care Ladies Auxiliary where she helped with fundraising.
Karen was known for her kindness, generous spirit and infectious laugh. She enjoyed watching Westerns and was an avid fan of Perry Mason. She liked to attend local carnivals and festivals to listen to music, share a meal out with family but also enjoyed her time at home sitting on her front porch. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who treasured time spent with her family who loved her dearly.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sons, Kevin W. Shelly (Kim) of Waynesboro and Scott D. Shelly (Alyssa) of Chambersburg; five grandchildren, Manaisha, Wesley, Quentin, Madelyn and Wyatt; her sister, Lucinda D. “Cindy” Potter of Fayetteville; and many extended family members and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-mother, Mary A. (Faust) Davis.
Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 28, 2026 in Grove-Bowersox Funeral Home, 50 S. Broad St., Waynesboro with the Rev. James M. Russell officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery, Waynesboro.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 P.M. until 2:00 P.M., Saturday afternoon, in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to: St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 176, Quincy, PA 17247.
