Devin S. Shelby

Devin S. Shelby, 41, of Robinson, IL, was tragically taken from us on September 16, 2024. Born in Robinson on June 17, 1983, to Jeff Shelby and Sandra (Meeks) LeGrand, Devin would grow to become a man who lived life on his own terms, with a heart full of adventure and a personality that left an impression on everyone he met. His early years were spent in Robinson, where his love for the outdoors took root. He cherished fishing and camping with his dad, and raising catfish nets with his Grandpa Meeks was a favorite childhood memory. Those days at the river led to countless stories, including one where Devin, as a boy, excitedly declared the fish were "big as whales!"

His childhood was also marked by an early interest in collecting baseball cards with his dad. A particularly special memory was the time he discovered a rare, autographed Nolan Ryan rookie card-a find so exciting it landed him on the local news! Offers poured in, but true to his character, Devin refused to sell it, even turning down $1,000 for the card. That determination (or perhaps defiance) often led to unforgettable moments. Whether it was blowing ashes off ashtrays as a kid, running across Highway 41 when his mom wouldn't buy him JNCO jeans at the mall, or trying to swipe cigarettes at Walmart because his sister wouldn't get them for him, Devin was always testing the boundaries. In his teenage years, his rebellious streak continued. From sneaking out on his dad's motorcycle to getting caught driving his parents' car around the block, his family could tell countless stories of how he drove them crazy, but no matter what mischief he caused, he always knew how to work his way back into their hearts. Spoiled or not, Devin had a knack for winning people over, even after driving them to the brink.

As a boy, Devin was involved in the Boy Scouts, where he learned how to whittle - a skill that came with its fair share of cuts and scrapes. As he got older, he pursued his love of football by joining the Junior Football League and by playing on both sides of the ball through his high school years. He eventually earned his GED and a certificate in sanitation from Lakeland College before earning a certificate in welding at Lincoln Trail College in 2016. Welding became not just a job but a creative outlet for Devin, as he crafted horseshoe art pieces for people, a testament to his hands-on creativity. For the last two and a half years, he has worked as a MIG welder at EH Baare, a role in which he took great pride. He also took pride in looking good. After all, Devin had a distinctive style - he always made sure his wardrobe was sharp, complete with a nice hat to top it off. His collection of tattoos was a testament to his belief in fully expressing oneself as well.

Known for his quick wit and playful spirit, Devin often took jokes to the limit, but his infectious smile always kept people laughing along with him. His sense of humor was infectious, and he could animate any story to make people laugh. Friendly and outgoing, he never met a stranger - he had the unique ability to make everyone feel like a friend, no matter where he was, be that adventuring out west at Yellowstone or east to Lucas Oil Stadium, where he cheered on his beloved Indianapolis Colts time and again. Music was another significant part of Devin's life. Whether attending concerts from acts like Jelly Roll or singing "Holler Boys" at karaoke nights, it was evident that melody moved him as much as fireworks did every Fourth of July. Summers also found him out on his grill, working to perfect the art of a good meal.

Underneath his rough edges was a man with a good heart. Devin adored his Corgis - Duke and Toby - who were the loves of his life, and he cherished the time he spent with his three nieces - Alexa, Maycee, and Lillian - teaching them a number of things (and even a few choice words!) As we take a step back and look at his 41 years, we see that he approached life with a sense of humor and adventure that was uniquely his. While we are deeply saddened by his sudden loss, his memory lives on in the stories we tell of the laughter he brought and the love he gave to those he leaves behind - his parents, Jeff Shelby & Sandra LeGrand; his sister & brother-in-law, Joni LeGrand & Cody Mendenhall; his beloved nieces, Alexa LeGrand, Maycee Decker, and Lillian Decker; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins, including a special aunt, Bea Abernathy and cousin, Jennifer Mills.

A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 19th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson. Funeral services will immediately follow and be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday at the funeral home, with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. During the service, friends and family will be given the opportunity to share some thoughts and favorite memories of Devin, and for those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available at https://www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream .

Memorial contributions may be made to the "Crawford County Drug Court," with memorial envelopes available at the funeral home.

Cremation will follow Thursday evening's services.