Sheldon "Shelly" Robert Waxman, a resident of Commerce Twp., Michigan, died on February 3rd, 2026 at the age of 84. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.

Location of Service:

A Private Service will be held at The Dorfman Chapel

Date of Service:

Friday February 6th, 2026

Time of Service:

12:00 PM  

Officiant:

Rabbi Joseph Krakoff  

Shiva Information:

No formal shiva will be held.  

Charitable contributions:

The Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network
6555 W. Maple Road
West Bloomfield, MI 48322
248-592-2687.

or
PACE Southeast Michigan
24463 W. 10 Mile Rd.
Southfield, MI 48033
Phone: 855.445.4554  

Family Members:

Sheldon "Shelly" Robert Waxman April 22, 1941 – February 3, 2026

Sheldon "Shelly" Robert Waxman, age 84, passed away on February 3, 2026, following a long and courageous battle with dementia.

Shelly was born on April 22, 1941, in Chicago, Illinois, to Henri and Anna (Sokolsky) Waxman. He lived in Chicago for over 30 years, attending South Shore High School and the University of Illinois before earning his JD from DePaul University College of Law in 1965.

His legal career began as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Chicago (1971–1974), later moving to South Haven, Michigan, where he was active in the community and maintained a private law practice for 40 years. Shelly was a dedicated advocate for individual freedoms and the rights of the "little guy" against government overreach. He was also an accomplished author, publishing both fiction and nonfiction books inspired by his legal cases. His memoirs and case information are permanently housed at the University of Kansas, Kenneth Spencer Research Library. For the past 10 years, Shelly resided in the Keego Harbor and West Bloomfield, MI communities.

A lifelong sports enthusiast, Shelly swam and played football in high school, worked as a lifeguard at his family cottage at Mt. Pleasant subdivision in South Haven, and completed the Chicago Marathon multiple times. He was a long-time Michigan State University football season ticket holder and a frequent supporter of Spartan basketball.

Shelly was a loving grandparent who took great pride in his family. He is survived by his wife, Katherine; his son, Josiah (Jessica); his daughter, Zoe (Cliff) Bracey; and his three grandchildren, Julia, Maeve, and Clifford. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Ronald.

The family expresses their appreciation to the caregivers at PACE SE Michigan, Comfort Cove West Bloomfield, the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network, and the Danto Health Care Center for their support over the past two years.  

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