Dr. Howard Shelly, retired Bluffton general practitioner died May 4, 2019. The response to his obituary was immediate.

As of May 7 on the The Icon’s Facebook post, over 50 persons offered comments about him.  As of May 7, his Facebook post had over 13,000 reaches.

This outpouring of comments is worth sharing with viewers. Icon Facebook comments follow:

Hollyann Murray: He was amazing. Not replaceable. GOD TOOK THE BEST.

Lorie Davis Montooth: Prayers. He was a wonderful doctor, man and person!

Sara Schrag: He delivered my 2 boys and sat with me through my second labor. What a kind and caring man.

Susan Wiess: Heaven gained a wonderful man ..delivered my two girls....many people owe him a huge gratitude ...running on the EMS squad he saved many in our little hospital.

Nanette Moneer Montgomery: Dr. Shelly was the best! He delivered my 3 sons and was the kindest most caring doctor ever! Loved him!!! Rest in Peace...

Rex Welch: Bluffton was blessed with such a great person, grew up going to Dr Shelly, R. I. P.

Jeanne Wehri: Loved working with Dr. Shelly and truly enjoyed his sense of humor!

Brenda Reiter Harris: He delivered me. When I was pregnant for my first child, he cried as he told me the story of my birth. I was his first delivery at St. Rita’s. As he came down the hallway, they asked my mom if this Dr. Shelly had bushy eyebrows.  Before my birth, he had delivered 2 stillborn boys for my mother. I was a what they called a “blue baby." He carried me (all 3 lbs 14 oz of me) in his arms as he quickly ran to the nursery. He wasn’t going to let anything happen to me! (His words, through his tears). Mom had just had a visit with him that day. I wasn’t due for 2 more months. The emotion he shared with me that day really touched me. I always loved and respected him. In my early years as a lab tech, I too was privileged to work with him at Bluffton Community Hospital. Much love and respect, Doc Shelly.

Sue Shields: Dr. Shelly was a legend. A wonderful person who truly cared for his patients.

Amie Stratton: Heaven has gained an amazing man. Prayers for his family and all who love him

Jerry Lewis: What a Great Man! Doc, we will miss you but God has a new Friend in Heaven! God Bless You!

Tracie Rosengarten Best Bricker: Loved seeing him at church! Prayers for his beautiful wife and Family!

Diane Bland: He delivered all 3 of my children He was joking one day about naming a boy or girl Shelly. When I delivered my second child it was a girl named her Shelly - what a great doctor, so caring. And he would make the appointment. He made u laugh and make so easy …

Jami Hall: I adored this man. My deepest sympathy to the family.

Jerry Lambert: He was one of the best in his profession welcomed both Me and my son into the world. Prayers to his family RIP Papa Smurf.

Becky Williams Alexander: What a wonderful man he was. So kind and caring.

Marla Heyman: My mom loved him !

Connie Quick: Rip....Dr Shelly delivered 2 of my boys  love loved him!!!

Rhonda George Bellman: What a wonderful man, a wonderful doctor. He will be truly missed.

Dennis Morrison: So sad to see a friend, my Doctor, Lions Club Member passing away. I remember very well going to see Doc Shelly at his office on Main Street and I remember the Great Bow Ties Doc wore.

Donna and I send our sympathy and prayers to the Shelly family. Rest In Peace Doc, for you have surely earned it.

Diana Purcell: Dr Shelly delivered my son Scott, age 47 at Bluffton Hospital. He was a kind Doctor.

Becky Reineke Boblitt: Prayers to his family.

Louise Watkins: He was Someone Very Special in Bluffton in fact, he was “Fantastic”

Dawn Brite Waugh: Louise, yes he was! Loved him!

Karen Pifer: RIP fixed me up quite a few times!!!

Ruth Johnson: Kind and caring man and Doctor. Loved him!!!

Linda Strahm: Wonderful man. Bluffton lost a true gentleman.

Amy Steinman Rash: Prayers for the family

Bill Hoffer: R.I.P. !

Diana Hilty Marshall: Condolences to Dr. Shelley's family and the entire Bluffton community. This was a life well-lived. Thank you for re-posting the interview--a trip down memory lane, indeed. (Our number was 113-G) :)

Kayleen Moser: What a lovely 'read'.....thank you for sharing!!!

Dawne Lugibihl Courtney: Wonderful man and neighbor when growing up.

Janice Arnold Amstutz: We went to the same church and when I would ask him how he was doing he would always answer “ fantastic “ no matter how he really felt. He will be so missed.

Kathy Traucht: So down to earth and realistic. Dr. Shelly helped me so many times, especially when I was at Richland Manor. Condolence to family but so glad he could pass on to his next journey.

Scharon Ridinger: A great Doctor. Back when Doctors were Doctors. He was concerned.

Brian Lee Morrison: One of the best ever! RIP doc thanks for all you did for the community.

Pat Cox: Was a privilege working with this man at Bluffton Hospital for many years. He always said he could write a book about all the things you see in our little hospital. What a legacy he leaves in this community!

Rose Harvey: RIP Dr. Shelly.

Jennifer Moser: He was a great doctor. He was never too busy for his patients.

Teresa Cameron: Shorty Palte

Stephanie Nichols Baxter: Worked with him for yrs. Prayers for his family

Pamela Kinsey Staley: He was a kind soul. A horse reared and fell over on me at Greentree. Dr. Shelly was there and gave me a good check up. He loved animals, Gypsy , Bell, Bimbo, Jessie and Jayne and Joy were he and Carols horses at GTS.

Gene Harkness: R.I.P. Dr. Shelley!

Karen Pifer: I thought the world of this man. My deepest sympathy to the family. He will be missed!

Sue Schaaf: He delivered all three of our children. He was a great man.

Sharon Styer: I always liked Dr. Shelly.

Neil Cockrell: I think he touched all us Bluffton folks. R.I.P. Doc

Mark Corson: Fixed me up more than once. RIP

Michelle N Daryl Thompson: I adored this man.

Kathie Stewart: He delivered Randy, Tammy & Steve and also Tammy's son Cole

Deb Weihrauch: So sad to say goodbye to a wonderful man!

Pamela Jean Dahnke: RIP

Brian Meeker: RIP Dr Shelly

Dawn Brite Waugh: Oh my goodness! He delivered me and two of my kids. He was a wonderful man - thoughts and prayers to his family.