James "Jim" Shelmerdine

James "Jim" Shelmerdine, 89, of Clarksville passed peacefully on April 22, 2024. Born in Albany, NY on September 20, 1934, he was the son of Robert and Mildred Shelmerdine, and husband to the late Shirley Shelmerdine (Flansburg).  

 Jim graduated from Bethlehem Central High School in 1953 and later obtained an Associates degree from Hudson Valley Community College.  Jim was a “Jack of All Trades” but was primarily a dedicated and loyal employee of AT&T for over 35 years.  Originally from Delmar, NY, he and his wife Shirley raised their three children in Clarksville, where Jim lived for over 60 years, until the time of his passing.  

 He was a skilled hunter and master gardener, providing the best cuts of venison, the ripest tomatoes, and the sweetest corn for his family and friends.  He maintained a vegetable garden until the last year of his life and held a lifetime hunting license until his death.  He was an avid outdoorsman and a lifelong member of both the Bethlehem and Onesquethaw Gun Clubs, holding leadership positions within the Onesquathaw Club.  He instilled his love and appreciation of the outdoors to all of his children and was where he felt most at home.  Although a private person, he had many loving friends that he considered family, until the time of his death.  

 Jim is survived by his son Ronald (Melissa) Shelmerdine; daughters Sandra Shelmerdine and Barbara (Matt) Heineman; four grandchildren,  Lauren, Keith, Connor Heineman, and Rhyan Shelmerdine; his sisters Marion Court and Mildred Roosa, sister-in-law Sally Shelmerdine and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his brother Robert "Ranny" Shelmerdine. 

 Graveside funeral services will be held privately.