Sheldon Elias Obituary

Dear Shelly,



You have been one of my most significant inspirations and you have deeply touched my life in more ways than one could ever imagine. You will always be remembered in my heart as a magnificiant teacher and genuine spritual friend. May all the joy and love you were composed of live through your family and friends as they walk this earth. I only pray that we all may live life with such the unconditional love as you have demonstrated to so many. You will be deeply missed on this earth but your breath of love and compassion will resonate on and on throughout all eternity.



Love with an open heart,



Deborah

Dearest Shelly,



I owe so much of who I am to you.All your help, your talent, your insistance on always doing things to until they were"perfect",your loyalty,your joy of life , your willingness to do what ever it takes to make a project right , are a few of the many gifts you shared with me. I will always love you and will see the twinkle in your eye. I will feel your spirit ,and continue to be inspired.

Elaine

Dear Shelly,

As many have already said, we join them in saying you will be dearly missed. I miss the support and guidance you always gave me. You were a true leader wno never once complained about the restrictions MS placed upon you. We miss doubling with you and Kathy - especially the stories and jokes. I hope you are in a better place now, with some great stories and music to share with God.

Your friend always, Ron

We regret that we are not able to be home for Shelly's memorial service, but we want you to know that you are in our hearts and prayers. Kathy, you have been the most loyal and loving wife any man could ever deserve. Your steadfastness has been amazing. We love you and Melissa.

Alan and Barbara

I have a poster framed of a student concert we gave many years ago. Shelly was my guest perfomance. The concert was at Lyon Healy January 11th @ 2:00PM. 1979.



Shelly was my inspiration to begin teaching, which I continued to do for many years.



I am very sorry about your loss.

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: to choose one's attitudes in any given situation."

-VIKTOR E. FRANKL

Shelly and Kathy will always be an inspiration to me. May G-d bless Shelly, Kathy and Melissa and all those that are so dear to them.

To the Elias famiy:

We grew up next door to the Elias'. One of our memories of living in Lincolnwood was hearing a very young Shelly play his drums through the wall of our duplex homes. We have many fond memories of our neighbors on Drake Ave. and were very sad to hear of Shelly's passing. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers at this time.

Phyllis, Anne, Barbara and Lisa Gold

Aunt Ester, Kathy, Melissa, Mark and Shelly,



Our family has been so blessed to have Shelly a part of it. I will miss him so. When I was young I would look forward to the summer visits to Cleveland. Together we made music, Shelly would play the drums and I would play the accordion. Shelly, you were so much better than me. On Friday evenings, Shelly, Mark, Bernie and Rick would watch horror movies with me and laugh at how frightened I would get. To me Shelly became the continuum of my father’s musical greatness. Remember the battle of the drums at all the family parties? How I admired your acceptance to the best music schools in the country and your continued success. Life’s obstacles never held you down. Shelly I love you. You have been an inspiration, teacher and a friend. Love, Ellen

Shelly;

I shall miss you dearly, but my life was greatly enriched by the times we spent together. I'll always remember your hunor, your grace under pressure, your courage in the face of adversity, your love of hot fudge sundaes(!), and our easy friendship.

We'll honor your memory at Alice Millar Chapel in recognition of you outstandingly loyal dedication as a distinguished graduate from a great university. Not many knew how you were truly steeped in the deep purple, and also appreciated Wildcat sports.

You expanded my appreciation for all types of music beyond my favorites in jazz. You introduced me to a wide variety of very interesting performers and other "characters".

And you had great respect for everyone's own talents and tolerance for their shortcomings.

You are my hero. Your struggle is over.

Let your music play on! Farewell good friend.

DJ

Kathy and Melissa:Our prayers and

thoughts are with you.

There will always be a special place in our hearts for the Wabash

Ave.times shared with Shelly.

Brooke and Bill Crowden

Kathy,

Shelly's gusto for everything he did and his humor that got him through the day will be etched in my mind forever. He was a truely gifted musician and an extremely special man who gave of his musical knowledge freely to the next generation so that they could enjoy life the way he did, making music. In spite of all of his physical difficulties he was never angry or upset and was instead always looking forward to what he might work on next. He was a incredible human being who had an incredible woman at his side. You and Melissa are in my thoughts and in my prayers. I am honored to have called Shelly my friend...

Paula

My friend, Shelly. One of the most wonderful people I have met in my lifetime. I am blessed to have had his friendship. Shelly was God's gift to us all. He lived every day to the fullest and truly believed life was short, eat desert first - especially a hot fudge sundae. Whenever I start thinking about the world being an impossibly sad and confusing place, I think of Shelly and am reminded that no matter how tough things got, I always saw a smile on that beautiful face. Shelly, when I think of you not being here I can hardly breathe, but I do believe you are now in an awesome place with no more pain or discomfort, writing and playing music. I will miss you forever. Susan

Kathy and Melissa: I cannot tell you how sad I was to hear of Shelly's passing. I consider it a priviledge to have known him in my lifetime for he was such a talented and caring individual and I know he will be greatly missed by all. You will both be in my thoughts and prayers.



Maria Ohman

We offer our deepest condolences to the family of Sheldon Elias. We understand that he was a very talented musican and composer. We had always heard glowing reflections about him from our friend and his cousin, Shari Elias.

We offer our deepest condolences to the Elias family. Shelly offered much to the world with his incredible musical talent. We have always heard so many good reflections about Shelly from his cousin and our friend, Shari Elias.