SHANE RAY ZELLAHA, 62, of Cherokee, Iowa, formerly of Spencer, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024 in Spencer, Iowa.
Visitation with the family present will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. at Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa. Pastor Jonathan Riggert will officiate. Dinner and reception to follow from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Whiskey Throttle in Cherokee, Iowa. Burial will be held in the North Lawn Cemetery at Spencer, Iowa at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to them for a future project in Shane’s honor.
Shane was born on October 4, 1962 to Richard and Marilyn (Johnson) Zellaha at Spirit Lake, Iowa. He began his schooling in Spencer, Iowa, where he played tee-ball and memorably got into trouble with his teacher for bringing the family pet, Mr. Z, to school. Shane’s family also lived in Denison, Iowa, North Platte, Nebraska and Alliance, Nebraska. He graduated from Alliance High School in 1980. During these years, Shane played baseball, basketball, and football. He was amused with dirt bikes and learning to play the guitar.
After graduation, Shane worked for the Snake Ranch, road and building construction, and Electric Hose and Rubber in Alliance, NE. While living in Spencer, he worked for Eaten Manufacturing, Graham Tire, and was a federal firearms salesman.
On December 4, 1983, Shane married his lifelong love, Diana Merrill. In 1988, they made their home in Spencer, Iowa where they raised Tyson and Shayna. Shane and Diana were devoted to each other for 40 years.
Shane was a “hands on” father. His FUN, best times, were spent coaching Tyson’s little league and Babe Ruth baseball games as well as following Shayna’s softball games. He always greeted everyone with a smile and was eager to have a conversation. Shane loved spending time with his family, including his cherished pet, Lilly, and grandchildren. He was an avid Nebraska Cornhuskers fan and loved the Pacific Ocean, traveling, boxing, history, pheasant hunting, weightlifting, boating, and motorcycles. Shane was also known as the family photographer, always with a camera in hand.
He was preceded in death by his wife Diana Zellaha, son Tyson Zellaha, and father Richard “Dick” Zellaha.
Shane will lovingly be remembered by his daughter, Shayna and Cory Ege of Cherokee, Iowa; six grandchildren, Emma, Ellie, Trice, and Everly Ege of Cherokee, Iowa and Landon and Brooklyn Zellaha of Amelia, Ohio; his mother, Marilyn Zellaha of Spencer, Iowa; sister Jodi and Dave Roes of Hemingford, Nebraska; and his many friends and family.
