Obituary of Arch Andrew Shealy

Arch Andrew Shealy Sr, 98, died Friday, March 23, at his home in Ocala surrounded by his loving family.

A lifelong resident of Zuber and Ocala, Arch was born on September 22, 1919. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Dora Shealy, his wife of 52 years, Louise “Boots” Lyles Shealy, and his brothers, Nuby, B F, and Bert.

Following his 1938 graduation from Ocala High School, Arch joined the U S Army and served in the Second Battalion, Seventeenth Field Artillery during WWII. He was captured on Valentine’s Day 1943 after The Battle of Kasserine Pass in Tunisia, North Africa and was a POW in Germany for 27 months.

Upon his return home, Arch was a longtime employee of Roquemore’s of Ocala and served as a deacon of Kendrick Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Ocala. Arch loved bowling, crossword puzzles, and traveling, which included returning to Germany where he was honored at the Museum of Stalag VII/A in Mooseburg.

Arch is survived by his children, Carolyn (Freligh), Diane (Jack Hickerson), Debbie (Charlie Stinson), and Arch Jr (Valerie), six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren.

The family will be having a gathering time and viewing on Friday, Mar 30^th at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home, 910 Silver Springs Blvd from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm; the Celebration of life service on Saturday, Mar 31^st at 11:00 am with the burial to follow at the Highland Memorial Park Cemetery with Military honors presented. Arrangements by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Ocala, FL 352-629-7171