Yale E. Shenefield

Yale did not quite make it to his 100th birthday. He passed away quietly Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014, at Spring Arbor Assisted Living. He also resided at Arbor Oaks in Spring Arbor, and on Huntington Drive in Jackson. Born November 10, 1914 in Detroit, he was the son of the late Ernest and Agnes Shenefield. He grew up in Jackson and Coldwater, where he met the girl of his dreams, the late Geraldine (Jerry) A. Shenefield. They were married May 23, 1938. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, where he was a gunnery sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1944 and moved to Coldwater and then to Tecumseh, Michigan. He was the manager of the A&P store there, making it a very profitable operation when he came up with the idea of cutting big wheels of cheese into smaller, pre-wrapped portions for customers. His wife was by his side all the way, turning earnings around with two words, customer service. He moved to Jackson, Michigan, where he and Mrs. Shenefield will long be remembered for operating Shenefield's Soda Bar on East Michigan Avenue, along with their children, Michael and Nancy. Mr. Shenefield was a State Food Inspector for Michigan for 13 years until his retirement. He loved talking with people, yard work, carpentry and taking care of his roses.

Mr. Shenefield is survived by his two children, son Michael E. and Donna Shenefield of Lakeland, Florida, and daughter Nancy L. and Norman Hephner of Camp Verde, Arizona. He is also survived by his brother, Vaud Shenefield of Coldwater. He was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Greenich. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, other family and the many special friends he has made over the years. He never let a stranger be a stranger for more than a minute or so.
This compassionate, caring and loving man will be terribly missed by his family and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 10:30 AM followed by interment at St. John's Catholic Cemetery. Father Timothy MacDonald will officiate at the Funeral Mass.

The family will receive friends at the Desnoyer Funeral Home on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM with a Vigil Service at 7 PM. The family will also receive friends at Queen's Church on Wednesday from 10 to 10:30 AM.

Contributions to the Jackson County American Legion Ritual Team would be appreciated.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family owned for 124 years