Shirley Ann (Gay) Kildow
Shirley Ann (Gay) Kildow was born November 2, 1936, our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, of Bethesda, Ohio, passed away February 12, 2026, at Emerald Pointe Health and Rehabilitation facility, Barnesville, Ohio. She was the daughter of the late Charles E. Gay and Lela M. (Jenewein) Gay (aka Lela M. Roe).
Shirley was retired from the Belmont County Treasurer’s office where she proudly worked under Treasurer Joe Guadio. She enjoyed her 17 years at the courthouse where she made many great friends. Shirley was a Member of the Bethesda Methodist Church where she volunteered as Treasurer for several years. She was a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Weyer Chapter #515 and Oakleigh Garden Club and served on Bethesda Village Counsel. Shirley also served as Treasurer to the UL Wrestling Parents and was a Union Local Jets Football Mom on three occasions. Some of her favorite stories of the past dealt with being the Little League Coach’s wife, dragging and lining ballfields, keeping book, and making milkshakes for the team (after wins only). She and Robert enjoyed Union Local Sports and watching their children and grandchildren play ball. Shirley enjoyed memories of celebrating the 1975 UL Jet Wrestling Team’s AAA OVAC Championship, 1989 UL Jets Wrestling OVAC Dual Meet Champions and the 2017 UL Jets Football Team’s first OVAC Championship by hosting dinners or buying pizza for the teams. She would say that she loved basketball the most and would compare any grandchild that did something good and say, “that’s how Bobby did it,” when he played for Bethesda (Panthers).
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 63-years Robert M. Kildow, two sons, Shaun David and Barry Robert; great-grandson Mason Kildow, brother Charles “Buzzy” Gay, in-laws Richard and Mary Ruth Kildow, David and Wally Kildow, Thomas and Lois Kildow, Larry Kildow, nephews Scott and Kevin Kildow and niece Mary Jill Orr. She is survived by three sons, Chad (Michelle) of Powhatan Point, Todd of Bethesda, and Shane (Patty) of Morristown. Shirley is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Dustin (Emily), Chance (Misty), Brooklyn (Robby Ayersman), Kane, Ty, Cal, Casey, Torre, Taylor, Luke, and Katie Kildow; five great grandchildren; many special nieces and nephews, her brother Bradley (Pam) Gay of Pickerington, sisters-in-law Susan Witsberger of Bethesda, and Susan Kildow of Bellefontaine, Ohio.
Family and Friends will be welcome for visitation, Saturday February 21, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to the time of service at 12:30 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, 322 N. Main St., Bethesda, Ohio. Burial will take place immediately thereafter at Ebenezer Cemetery, Bethesda, Ohio. Reverend Tom Detling will officiate the service.
As an expression of sympathy, in lieu of flowers please consider Memorial Contributions to the Union Local Boys or Girls basketball programs or the Union Local Wrestling Parents.