Shelley M. Strain, M.D.

Shelley M. Strain, M.D., beloved husband of Marion P. Strain (deceased), loving father of David passed away Thursday, February 18, 2010. Born in Youngstown, Ohio August 12, 1917, he graduated from Youngstown College in 1938. In the fall of 1939, Shelley began Medical School in Cleveland, Ohio at Western Reserve (now Case-Western Reserve). He graduated May 1942 as a Medical Doctor of Surgery. August 30, 1942, he married Marion H. Parmenter and went to New York City as a Surgical Resident at Brooklyn Hospital. With the outbreak of war, he began military service with the Army in 1943. He was assigned to the Europe Theater as an Army Surgeon with the 9th Evacuation Hospital. This hospital was with the invading Army that pushed into Germany and many key cities in Germany. Many times the hospital was located as close as 3 miles from the "Front". After German surrender, Dr. Strain was sent to the sites of former concentration camps to aid the survivors. He received the following decorations and citations: American Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Meritorious Service Unit Plaque.



After returning to the United States in 1946, he became Chief of Surgery and Tuberculosis (TB) Unit Head at the V.A. Hospital in Butler, PA. In 1950, he left the V.A. for Private Practice in Southern Ohio at Piketon. He was the only Doctor in 3 counties with a 60 mile trip to the hospital from his office. Because of the isolation of this area, he saw the need for better communications to help him call for ambulance service. He was the first in Ohio (besides police) to receive a FCC License for a 2-way car radio and base station to aid him. In 1956, he moved back to the Cleveland, Ohio area to become Medical Director for United States Steel in the Cleveland area until retirement in 1985.



Dr. Strain had a love of flying, earning his Private License in 1942. He passed his flying love to his son, David and flew with him often in his later years until his recent illness. Those that knew him best said he was known for his agreeable smile, unhurried speech, direct, no nonsense answer to a problem and NO half done undertakings. When recently asked "What kind of Doctor are You?" his response was "A darn good one!".



Proceeded in death by his loving wife, Marion P. Strain, his parents, Shelly and Gertrude; and brother, Thomas. Dr. Strain is survived by his son David and daughter-in-law, Barbara, sister-in-law, Margy Bell and nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held from 5:00-8:00 PM on Monday, Feb. 22, 2010 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 895 S. Goldenrod Rd. Orlando. Interment will be in Youngstown, Ohio.