Wesley Paul Shilling

Wesley Paul Shilling, age 89, passed on July 3, 2023. He was born on January 1, 1934, to the late Dwight and Wanda (Taylor) Shilling. Wes arrived at 6:43 am making him Massillon’s 1934 New Year’s baby. He was a 1952 graduate of Massillon Washington High School and a proud member of the 1951 State Champion Massillon Tiger Football Team.

Wes’s love for Massillon will never be questioned. He was especially proud that he was able to represent Massillon playing football for the great Coach Mather in 1949, 1950 and 1951. During those years, the Team went 28-2 earning 3 State Championships and 1 National title. Up to the day he passed, Wes could describe every Massillon game he played in just like it was yesterday. Wes was a versatile athlete who also ran Track in High School advancing to the State Meet.

After High School Wes enlisted in the US Army in October of 1954. He was stationed in Fort Lee Virginia serving as a Military Policeman.

Wes married the love of his life, Constance Joan Lipps on December 18, 1954 at St. John’s UCC in Massillon. Together they shared 63 years until her passing in 2018. Wes was the primary and an exceptional care giver to Connie in her later years yet just another example of the person he was.

Wes returned to Massillon to begin his post military career and start a family with Connie. Along with working at Eaton Manufacturing, Wes played semi pro football in Massillon. Most of his career was spent at The Hoover Company where he retired after 26 years in the Security Department.

In addition to enjoying Massillon football where he as a season ticket holder for over 50 years, Wes valued spending time with family. He was his grandchildren’s biggest supporter traveling to various sporting events including lacrosse games and swim meets. He never missed rooting on The Ohio State Buckeyes as well as the Cleveland Browns, Indians and Cavaliers. Wes also appreciated the Theatre, going to wide range of both local and Broadway musicals. His favorite shows were always the ones that he able to watch his brother Al perform. In his earlier years he had fun spending time with friends and family on golf courses, softball fields and bowling alleys.

Wes was known as someone who would always lend a helping hand. That included helping people he never met. Over the years he was able to donate over 15 gallons of blood.

He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law Jeannine and Sam Thomas and Victoria and Jhawn Munford, grandchildren Brian and Antonio Peterson and Taylor, Trent, and Trace Thomas. Brothers, Allan (Nancy Long) Shilling and James (Kathryn Glubka) Shilling. Wes also leaves 7 great grandchildren and 6 nieces and nephews as well as numerous relatives. In additional to his parents and wife, Wes was preceded in death by his infant brother Randall Wayne Shilling and niece Susan Shilling.

The family will receive friends at the Paquelet Funeral Home on Monday, July 17, 2023, from 1:00 to 2:00 with a service to follow. Burial will take place immediately following at Sunset Hills Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Wes’s memory to Massillon Tiger Booster Club Endowment fund at https://scf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4577 or Boys and Girls Club of Massillon at https://secureonlinegiving.com/donations/site/index.asp?eventID=1733

Paquelet Funeral Home & Crematory 330-833-3222