About Us

During a time of loss, you need the help of compassionate experts who can offer guidance and support throughout the planning process. At Shelby & Keller Funeral Home and Cremation Services, we believe that every life deserves to be celebrated. Our mission is to assist families in creating personalized funeral experiences that honor the life of their loved ones.  

In 1924, Mr. Boord employed Frank Y. Shelby to work with him. Frank graduated from Askin College of Embalming in 1926, and Mr. Boord sold him a half interest in the firm while they were located at 316 Liberty Street. 

Mr. Boord died on March 24, 1936. Frank Shelby purchased Mr. Boord's interest in the funeral business and the furniture store from Mr. Boord's heirs. Previously, Frank had purchased the Julius Loeb home at 622 Third Street. The name was changed to Shelby Funeral Home, and the funeral home was moved to the 622 Third Street location in September 1936. 

The furniture store remained at 322 Liberty Street, and the name was changed to Shelby Furniture. Frank tried to join the Army during World War II, but they wouldn't take him because he was over 40 and had six children at home. In 1944, he joined the Red Cross as a Field Representative and went to Italy for a year. His wife, Helen VanDorn Shelby, was given a funeral director's license to operate the business during his absence. Their teenage son, Robert, assisted her with the funeral home.

Wisher Myers of Veedersburg did the embalming and conducted funerals during this time. After the war, Robert Bodine joined as an employee, and in 1947, Frank sold him a half interest in the funeral home. The name was then changed to the Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home. 

Robert Shelby graduated from high school in 1947 and was employed full-time at the funeral home. Frank Shelby and his family moved to the country, and Bodine's family moved into the funeral home. A showroom was added to the funeral home at this time. In June 1949, Robert Shelby graduated from Indiana College of Mortuary Science. He purchased his father's remaining interest in the funeral home on January 1, 1950.

Robert received his license in February 1950. In 1963, the south chapel was added on to the building. Some of the walls were removed and the stairway was turned to open up the north area, where an office was added. Robert Bodine and Robert Shelby operated the funeral home until Bodine's death on August 25, 1969. 

Bodine's son, David Bodine, started working in 1968 and took over his father's interest after his death. Robert Shelby and David Bodine operated the funeral home from 1969 until Robert purchased David's interest in 1987. The name was then changed to Shelby Funeral Home. 

Douglas Shelby received his license in 1986 and joined the staff. Robert and Douglas operated the Shelby Funeral Home until October 2023 when the Shelby family entrusted the heritage to David Keller, a 35-year seasoned funeral director with the ability to maintain traditional and locally-owned funeral values. At that time, the name was changed to Shelby & Keller Funeral Home and Cremation Services.