Thaddeus Henry Shackelford, of Bristol, Indiana

Published 8:00 am Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Thaddeus Henry Shackelford, 67, of Bristol, Indiana, died peacefully at the home of his long-time companion Darlene O’Leary, after a long struggle with complications of heart disease.

Thad was born in Mobile, Alabama, but spent most of his life in the Michiana area.

He is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Marilynn Shackelford and older brother Thomas Shackelford.

He is survived by three sisters, Marylinn Weybright from Santa Fe, New Mexico, Virginia Brodie from Houston, Texas, and Susan Moyer from Cassopolis, and brother Gordon Shackelford from Fairfield, Iowa. Two sons, Shanon Shackelford from Niles, Jason Shackelford and his two children, granddaughter Isabella and grandson Liam, all from Niles.

Thad graduated from Niles Senior High School in 1969 and served in the U.S. Army as a member of Special Forces (Green Berets) and the 82nd Airborne Division out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Thad worked for many years at Fabricated Steel in South Bend and was lately retired from Star Design in Elkhart, Indiana where he was a robotic programmer.

A memorial service will be planned for some time in the spring when Thad’s many family and friends can all gather together to celebrate his life.