Shelly Denise Vela

Shelly Denise Vela, 53, of Goshen, died Monday afternoon, February 17, 2014, at Courtyard Healthcare. She was born November 13, 1960, in Flint, Michigan to David and Madeline (Halcome) Birdsall. She is survived by her father; four children, Catherine, Vela, Christina Vela, Peter Vela, Jr. and James Rahm, II, all of Goshen; four grandchildren, Danny Vela, Daymond Peck, Autumn and Alex Bowens, all of Goshen; three sisters, Sheila Birdsall, Mt. Morris, Michigan, LaRonda Birdsall, Flint, Michigan, and Shawn Birdsall of West Virgina; two brothers, Sheldon Birdsall of Goshen and Steve Halcome of Manistee, Michigan; a niece Alesha Birdsall of Goshen, and two nephews, Brett Birdsall of Goshen and Keith Shanks of Flint, Michigan. She was preceded in death by her mother, a grandmother, Melva Halcome; a niece, Misty Burgess and boyfriend, Steve Pritchett. An animal enthusiast who especially enjoyed her cats, Shelly was baptized at New Life church, April 1, 2012. Friends may call 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, February 20, 2014, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home where a 1 p.m., Friday, February 21, 2014, funeral service will be conducted. Jaime Conrad and T.J. Meehan will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakridge Cemetery, Goshen. Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Elkhart County or Goshen Cancer Center.