John William Shell, 77, went home to be with the Lord on January 10, 2026. He was preceded in death by his parents: Willie D and Goldie Shell (Jordan); his brothers: James Shell, Eddie Shell, and Sammy Shell; his sisters: Martha (Mishi) Shell, Mary Ann Shell,  and Jeanette Shell; his stepdaughter: Patrice (Brian Sr.) Elder Relford. He is survived in death by his siblings: his brothers Willie B. Shell and Samuel Shell, and his sister, Helen (William) Poole; his children: Kim Winters, Shawn (Candice) Shell, Alonzo (Charla) Shell, and Dominic (Michelle) Shell; his stepchildren: Carlton (Donna) Elder, and Monique (Anthony) Batin; a plethora of grandchildren: LaMarre (Amalfi) Elder, Myisha Elder, Cortezz White, Jocelyn Elder, Ashley Elder, Mario (Lanetta) Elder, DeVaughnte Elder, Lottie Elder, Diamond Elder, Trey Elder, Israel Elder, Brian Relford Jr., Rachel Relford, Sarai Relford, TaNeisha Winters, Devon Shell, Hannah Shell, Dakota Shell, Marland Shell, Quinlan Shell, Simeon Shell, Shawn Shell Jr., and Shaunice Shell; and two great grandchildren: Kaedyn Cole and Simone Shell.

John was born in Grenada, Mississippi, but he grew up in Orrville, OH. He was a promising young athlete who excelled as a pitcher in the baseball little leagues. He attended Orrville High School prior to his enlistment in the US Army. He subsequently served in the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged. John endured severe health challenges, with the aid of his ex-wife and the person he called everyday up until he died, Lottie Shell. But he was a fighter in every nuance of the word. He was a lover of horse racing; he and his brother Eddie Shell would frequent the horse races at Thistledown in Cleveland. He loved spending time with his family, and he was always looking for something to eat.

He accepted Jesus Christ under the ministry of the late Rev. Robert W. Lewis Sr. and Rev. Beverly Lewis in 1999. John was a voracious reader and, to the chagrin of many, he was a loquacious person. He loved history, particularly black history. One of his favorite quotes was from the abolitionist Henry Highland Garnet, “Don’t ever forget the difference between the plight of the Israelites and black people; for black people Pharaoh was on both sides of the Red Sea.”