ALVA, OK — Funeral service for Maynard Shelite will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20, 2013, at Freedom Christian Church, with Pastor Mark Kinkle officiating. Interment will be in Freedom Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home, Alva.

Maynard Shelite, son of the late Charlie and Retta (Green) Shelite, was born March 21, 1920, in Capron, Okla., and passed away Monday, Sept. 16, 2013, in Alva, Okla., at the age of 93 years, 5 months, and 25 days.

Maynard graduated from Capron High School with the class of 1938.

He served in the United States Army as a staff sergeant in the 45th Signal Company. In January 1942, he reentered the service following the bombing at Pearl Harbor. He earned the EAME Campaign Medal with six Bronze Stars and a Bronze Arrowhead American Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged July 25, 1945. He then attended Northwestern State College, majoring in geology.

On March 22, 1947, he was united in marriage to Norma Jeanne Lisman in Alva. They moved to Freedom where, in 1951, he, along with his brother-in-law, Amon Vincent, opened Freedom Motor Co. He later became postmaster of Freedom Post office, retiring in 1978.

After his retirement, he became a rural mail carrier, then worked as a maintenance man at Alabaster Caverns State Park.

In 1955, he was baptized at Freedom Christian Church. He was a member at Hatch-Vincent American Legion Post, Freedom Chamber of Commerce, and the VFW. He was also a charter member of Freedom Volunteer Fire Department.

All of Maynard’s life, he was fascinated with refurbishing old vehicles. Another pastime was making stained-glass figurines and watching OU football.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Jacquline Ruth; wife, Norma Jeanne in February 2004; three brothers, Leonard Shelite, Eugene Shelite and Luverne Shelite; five sisters, Mary Drake, Minnie Artis, Velva Vincent, Alice DeVilbiss and Lois Schwerdtfeger; and an infant grandson.

Maynard is survived by his daughter, Michelle Schroeder and husband Dennis of Freedom; two grandchildren, Jennifer Kay and husband Corey of Coldwater, Kan., and Jesse Schroeder and wife Amanda of Alva; five great-grandchildren, Callie Elizabeth Kay, Tanner Ross Kay, Brayden Scott Schroeder, Parker Ian Schroeder and Mia Elizabeth Schroeder; other relatives and many friends, including a very special friend, Phil Prigmore.

Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to Freedom Volunteer Fire Department.

Remembrances may be shared with the family at www.marshallfuneralhomes.com.

(Submitted by family)