Dorothy S. (Starner) Sheely

Dorothy S. (Starner) Sheely, age 98, of Carlisle, and formerly of Gardners and Shiremanstown, died on Sunday, October 26, 2025, surrounded by family. Born on November 13, 1926, she was one of eight children of the late Oscar T. Starner and Esta (Dittenhafer) Starner. Dorothy was the widow of Jacob “Jake” C. Sheely, Jr., to whom she was married for 72 years, until his death on September 19, 2019. In addition to her parents and husband, Dorothy is preceded in death by six of her siblings: Donald L. Starner, Marlin K. Starner, Gerald O. Starner, Opal M. Reider, Lydia A. Hefflefinger, and Isabelle M. Grenoble.

Dorothy’s survivors include her three children: Jacob C. Sheely III and his wife Martha, of Media, David W. Sheely and his wife Christine, of Mechanicsburg, Laura E. Sheely of Carlisle; her three grandchildren: Kathryn S. Wheelock and her husband Austin, Jeremy D. Sheely and his wife Angelia, Dana E. Kirk and her husband Edward; her four great-grandchildren: Sophie M. Wheelock, Patrick G. Wheelock, Lake S. Willits, and Rory J. Kirk; her sister Loline S. Judge of Camp Hill; and many nieces and nephews.

Dorothy graduated from Boiling Springs High School in 1943 and briefly attended Commercial College in Carlisle. In 1946 she married Jacob, after having met him at a picnic while he was on leave from the U.S. Army during WWII, and settled in Shiremanstown where they lived for more than 40 years, before moving back to Gardners during their retirement. In Shiremanstown she worked for the U.S. Postal Service for more than 30 years, first part-time, then full-time, retiring in August 1990. 

She had an enduring love of playing cards and was a founding member of a local "card club" in the Shiremanstown area, in which canasta and later, pinochle were played, active well into her 90's. She also had a passion for gardening, especially tending to sweet corn, green beans and tomatoes. She was a wonderful cook, specializing in macaroni and cheese, apple pie and dumplings and old-fashioned pot pie, as well as hosting family dinners and picnics. She was fascinated by the British royal family and their activities, but was always focused on her family and how everyone was doing. 

She was a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Gardners and previously St. John's Lutheran Church in Shiremanstown. Gifts in her memory may be made to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 4200 Carlisle Road, Gardners, PA 17324. 

A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday November 8, 2025 at Buhrig Funeral and Cremation, 37 East Main Street, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055, preceded by visitation starting at 9 a.m.  Burial will follow the service in St. John’s Cemetery, 4605 East Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg. All are welcome for food and fellowship at Buhrig’s Gathering Place 25 E. Main Street, Mechanicsburg (next to the funeral home) immediately following the burial.

Dorothy's family has entrusted her care to Buhrig Funeral & Cremation in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421. View her memorial photo, offer condolences and sympathy, share stories and memories, upload photographs and videos, light a candle and sign her official guest book by visiting Buhrig.com.