Donald A. Sheltra

Donald A. Sheltra, 87, of Springvale, died on Monday, June 23, 2014 at Southern Maine Health Care Facility in Sanford.Donald was born in Sanford on January 22, 1927 to Leonard and Alma (Thereault) Sheltra. Donald joined the United States Navy in 1944 and proudly served during both World War II and the Korean Conflict. He completed his enlistment in 1956 and returned to Sanford where he earned his GED and then enrolled in barber school. He barbered in the Sanford-Springvale area for 43 years. On June 25, 1949 Donald married Frances Boivin. Together they raised five children and shared 65 years of marriage. Donald and Frances retired in 1992 and enjoyed a cross-country trip together. They also wintered in Florida for 15 years.Donald was a communicant of St. Therse of Lisieux Parish in Sanford. In 1949 he joined the Knights of Columbus McGinnis Council and remained an active member up until his death. He was also a member of the VFW Post 9935 and the Lafayette Social Club. Donald enjoyed golfing, gardening and playing cards. He will be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends. Donald was predeceased by a daughter, Ann-Marie Sheltra Legere, his parents and by three brothers, Robert, Frederick and Maurice.Surviving are his wife, Frances Sheltra of Springvale; two sons, Rene Sheltra and his wife Susan of Lewiston and Robert Sheltra of Burien, WA; two daughters, Catherine Wadja and her husband Edward of Chicopee, MA and Ellen Sheltra of Island Pond, VT; two brothers, Reginald Sheltra of Sanford and Florida and Abaris (Dennis) Sheltra of Arizona; two sisters, Martha Brown of Dover, NH and Alberta (Fletcher) Bourque of Sanford; seven grandchildren, Adam Curtis, Troy Sheltra, Jared Sheltra, Elias Sheltra, Renee Cushman and her husband David, Zachary Sheltra and Aja Santaniello and her husband Ralph; six great-grandchildren, Isaac and Annaliese Cushman, Chase and Owen Sheltra and Gia and Sofia Santaniello and numerous nieces and nephews.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 28th at St. Therse of Lisieux Parish, Holy Family Church, located on North Avenue in Sanford. Committal prayers with military honors will follow at the Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery located on Stanley Road in Springvale.Those planning an expression of Sympathy are asked to consider sending a memorial contribution to St. Thomas School, 69 North Avenue, Sanford, Maine 04073.Arrangements are under the direction of Black Funeral Homes and Cremation Service, Sanford-Springvale.To leave a message of condolence for the family please click on the condolences tab to the left.