Dorothy Jean Shank Pelkey

May 16, 1950 - May 28, 2021
Dorothy Jean Shank Pelkey

Gifts & Memorial Donations



Dorothy “Dot” Jean Shank Pelkey, 71, of St. Clairsville, Ohio (raised in Ramsey, Ohio) went home to Jesus on Friday evening, May 28, 2021 after a long courageous battle with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma.

Dot was surrounded by her loving husband and daughters as she took her last breath on earth and her first breath in Heaven.

She was born at Ohio Valley General Hospital in Wheeling, West Virginia on May 16, 1950 to Edward Joseph Shank, Sr. and Lila Viola Ainscough Shank. Dorothy was a 1968 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.

As a young adult she worked in the restaurant industry until she married Charles “Chuck” William Pelkey and became a wife and mother, which was her greatest love and accomplishment.

She enjoyed shopping, cooking and eating out with her husband and spending as much time as possible with her girls and 12 year old fur-baby, Pookie. She was totally devoted to each one of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents who instilled a great love of family in each of their children and taught them to place their faith in Jesus Christ no matter their circumstances, beloved son-in-law, Earl Martin, her in-laws, Charles and Mary Pelkey, brothers-in-law, Dennis and Wally and sister-in-law, Mary Margaret as well as nephews, Barri Edward Shank and Darrin Anthony Shank, an angel baby who went to Heaven early on and many loving aunts and uncles.

Dorothy is survived by her adoring and dedicated husband. They had an everlasting love with a story of true perseverance and determination to never give up on love.

Also surviving are her two daughters, Cyndee Jo Pelkey Martin (Dewayne Alston) of Yorkville and Hope Marie Pelkey (Leroy Strupe) of St. Clairsville. Dot and her girls had a special bond and were always there for each other through all the ups and downs of life. They truly enjoyed each other, laughing, crying and just loving each other unconditionally.

She was the 1st of 7 children. Her siblings will miss her dearly as they carry on until they meet again. They are: Shelley Williams, Pittsburgh, PA; Edward Shank, Jr. (Cindy) St. Clairsville; Denise Paxton (Mike) Yorkville; Margie Wiseman (Jeff) Tiltonsville; David Shank, I (Gaye) Rayland; and Ruth Stevens (Eric) Cumberland, Ohio. They were and always will be: “The Shank 7”. She also leaves a sister-in-law, Tammy Pelkey Fisher and many many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great nephews and many close cousins.

The entire family would like to thank the physicians and staff at The James Cancer Center in Columbus and Amedisys Home Health and Hospice Service and their amazing caring staff for the loving tender care they gave to Dorothy during her illness.

There will be a “Celebration of Life” service announced at a later date for family and friends.

Arrangements by the Care Funeral & Cremation Specialists, St. Clairsville Chapel 204 West Main Street St. Clairsville, Ohio. 

Tribute Wall

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  • May 31, 2021
    Denise R. Paxton lit a candle:
    Lit since May 31, 2021 at 5:32:57 PM

  • May 31, 2021
    Hope Pelkey lit a candle:
    Lit since May 31, 2021 at 5:48:10 PM

  • May 31, 2021
    Debbie Schultz says:
    So sorry for you and your family’s loss Denise. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending love

  • May 31, 2021
    Chuck Pelkey lit a candle:
    Lit since May 31, 2021 at 5:12:00 PM

  • May 31, 2021
    Sue Donbeck Gatchel Bohall says:
    So sorry for your loss. Dot and I was good friends in school.She will be missed by all.Remember all the happy memories.