Charles Shelansky operated dry goods stores in Roscoe for a long time. His first store was located here. and the ghost sign can still be read as follows:
"Charles Shelansky's
DRY GOODS
Shoes
Ready To Wear"
The last Shelansky's store in Roscoe, which became one of the best-known western wear stores in the Big Country area of west Texas, closed in 1979.
This store sign dates from the 1920s. In 2016, the roof had collapsed for this building.
From the Sweetwater Reporter, the obituary of the last Shelansky family member to operate the store, as follows: (
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"Bernard M. Shelan: July 17, 1916-November 21, 2012
Bernard Shelan (né Shelansky) passed away Wednesday night, Nov. 21, at the age of 96 from natural causes.
He was born in St. Louis, MO to Charles and Rae Shelansky and raised in South Philadelphia and Roscoe, Texas.
A local football star, Bernie “The Mouse” Shelansky—in spite of his small stature—was awarded a football scholarship to Abilene Christian College, where he graduated in 1938 with a B.S. Degree in Physical Training and set a new kickoff return record that remained in tact for 20 years.
Bernie served in the Army Air Corps during WWII and—with his wife, Sylvia—assumed ownership of the family business, Shelansky’s Dry Goods in Roscoe Texas.
Bernie was a volunteer firefighter for 18 years, a member of the Lions Club, a former Shriners President (1966) and a 32nd degree Mason and a lifelong member of the Elks Club. Bernie and Sylvia retired to Abilene, TX in 1979, where they were longtime members of Temple Mizpah and eventually settled in Longview, TX in 1993, where they became active members of Temple Emanu-El.
Bernie was admired by friends and family for his strength of character and will. Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rae; and two brothers, Harold and Bobby. Bernie is survived by Sylvia Shelan, his wife of 69 years; his sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Lillian Shelan of Santa Rosa, CA, Charles and Norma Shelan of Olympia, WA and Evan and Debbie Shelan of Longview, TX; his granddaughters, Naomi Shelan and Rick Dell’Ara of San Francisco, CA, Lillian and Casey Berman of San Francisco, CA, Aliza Shelan of San Francisco, CA, Ashleah Shelan of Los Angeles, CA, Heather and Tim Cole of Melbourne, Australia, Erin and Wade Skinner of Tyler, TX and Stephanie and Doni Katz of Berkeley, CA; and his four great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Madeline, Secoya, and Jethro.
A graveside service was held for Bernard Shelan at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 25, at Congregation Shearith Israel Cemetery on Dolphin Road in Dallas, TX with Rabbi Heidi Coretz officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bernie’s name to the Shiner’s Hospital, Temple Emanu-El in Longview, TX, or the charity of your choice."
The local Roscoe paper republished that obituary, and added its own commentary: (
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"Bernard Shelan, 96, one of the last of a disappearing generation and for years one of the best known people in Roscoe and west Texas, died in Longview last Wednesday night.
After making his name as a football player for the Roscoe Plowboys and the ACC Wildcats in the 1930s, he served in the Army Air Corps in World War II, got married, and after the war returned to Roscoe to raise three sons with his wife, Sylvia.
He took over the family business, Shelansky Dry Goods, and over the years developed it into one of the most prominent western wear stores in the Big Country. Always one of Roscoe’s most active and civic-minded citizens, he was a long-time volunteer fireman and member of the Lions Club. He will be remembered for his friendliness, good cheer, and community involvement."