Shirley Joan Zumkehr
Early January 19, 2016 at her residence, Shirley Joan Zumkehr of Lima won her 16 year long battle with Alzheimer/Dementia. Shirley, aged 81, immediately met her Lord & Savior, receiving a brand new body and a perfect brain. God also whispered in her ear, "you are one of my favorites Shirley, for you have a heart just like mine." It doesn't get better than that. She was the epitome of Godliness.
She was born May 7, 1934-Sherley Joan Stichel-to Edward Stichel & Viola Gallagher Stichel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Her parents did precede her in death. Her mother left her at a very young age. She was raised by several Godly aunts, namely Elisabeth (Betty) Stichel. She graduated from Kensington High School, an all girls school, in 1952. Shirley was awarded a full scholarship to Drexel University in Engineering. Instead, three days after turning 18 & graduating from high school, she married Wendell F. Zumkehr May 10, 1952 in Philadelphia. Wendell preceded her in death, Nov 29, 2014.
Shirley greatly enjoyed doing things with her hands. She took many classes through the mail concerning electrical engineering. She was getting stations on the television that no one else could get AND she could fix the tv. She could put together a computer. She made pottery in her kiln, made a desk in her room, and paneled the basement.
She was also athletic, playing volleyball and basketball in high school. She won several awards including the Babe Ruth Award.
What she loved the most was God & her church. She was a life-long member of Calvary Bible Church-one of the original members. Shirley was a prayer warrior. She sang in the choir, and taught an Overcomer class. She was in charge of the sound system. She also served as secretary of the church and the school for forty years. She taught scripture memory classes. Anything that was needed, she did with the sweetest spirit, always.
The one thing she couldn't do, God did for her: giving her a new body.
She was a family person. She spoke to her daughters several times a day, every day. She enjoyed her grandchildren. She was always there when her family needed her. Shirley is survived by three children: Elizabeth (Michael) Williams, Margaret Rowe both of Lima, OH, and John (Jeanie) Zumkehr of Orange, CA; nine grandchildren: Chad (Alicia) Williams, Krista (Kerris) Wright, Amber Rowe, Sean Rowe, Pierce Rowe, Justin Rowe, Jennifer (Tyson) Vincent, Jon Zumkehr, Joshua Zumkehr; and 10 great grandchildren: Elisabeth Chandler, Cameron Chandler, Adalyn Wright, Kerry Wright, Kain Wright, Dane Williams, Owen Williams, Elias Vincent, Beau Vincent, and Wyeth Vincent. She is survived by many nieces & nephews, including one special cousin, Ruth.
She was preceded in death by one grandchild, Heather Elisabeth Williams Chandler, and her older sister Dorothy.
Her sweet spirit persisted through every stage of the dementia, because that's who she was. Shirley also had a great sense of humor, which also was seen throughout her illness. Her daughter Betty (Elizabeth) took care of her up to the last moments, along with Barbara Symonds. Other special caregivers who helped Mom in such a giving way are Debra Herzog , along with Susan Brown, Wista Brown Siefker, Amber Siefker, Sharah Pettigrew, Isis Marie Garcia, and Tanya Kline. These caregivers went above and beyond for Shirley many times. We'd talk to her a lot. Sometimes she said nothing, but many times she would say, "that's wonderful!" She never felt sorry for herself, not once. Never complained.
Other angels along the way were Putnam County Hospice with Connie RN, Sheryl Tumblin CNP, Dr Kurt Kuhlman, and Dottie Kaiser.
The family will receive friends Friday January 22, 2016, from 2-4, and 6-8 at Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home. A funeral service will begin at 10:30am on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at Calvary Bible Church. Friends may call one hour before the service. Interment will be following the service in Shawnee Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Bible Church or Putnam County Hospice.
Condolences may be expressed at www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com
Cemetery Details
Shawnee Cemetery
2650 Shawnee Road
L, OH, 45805
Visitation
JAN 22. 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home
920 N Cable Road
Lima, OH, US, 45805
http://www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com
Visitation
JAN 22. 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home
920 N Cable Road
Lima, OH, US, 45805
http://www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com
Funeral Service
JAN 23. 10:30 AM
Chamberlain-Huckeriede Funeral Home
920 N Cable Road
Lima, OH, US, 45805
http://www.chamberlainhuckeriede.com