Shirley J. Armstrong, 81, died at St. Vincent's Anderson Regional Hospital, July 16 after a prolonged illness.
She was born August 13, 1932 in Johnstown, Nebraska to Martha and Eldo Squires.
She lived in Port Huron, Michigan until coming to Anderson College in 1951. After receiving her BS degree in 1956, she was part of a large group of Anderson College students who obtained teaching positions in and around Livonia, Michigan. E.B. Jones, the pastor of Riverside Park Church of God, arranged for interviews with school districts nearby.
She met her husband, Chuck, that fall. He was returning from service in the army and had also contacted Rev. Jones for a teaching interview. Their teaching careers lasted 35 years until they needed to retire to care for Chuck's mom. She received her Masters Degree in 1960 from the University of Michigan. During that time, she was an elementary and middle school teacher and librarian.
Her last years in education were her most rewarding. During that time, in part due to her classroom experience, she was a superb elementary librarian. She could always find just the right book that a child would like or an appropriate collection for a teacher. Story time in her library was always an exciting time for her classes. Her book fairs were renowned. She was relentless in searching out distributers' shelves for good books. Even though the Livonia elementary librarians considered her the expert on the Dewey Decimal System, she was not a SHHHH librarian.
She had a devoted group of mother helpers. Their relationship extended far beyond the school day and into retirement. Theirs was a spiritual, as well as a friendship, relationship. With her encouragement, several of the mothers returned to school and received degrees
Upon retirement in Anderson, she became an active member of Park Place Church of God.
She was instrumental in founding a ministry to new-comers and served on the stewardship committee. She was a generous giver of time and resources until illness curtailed her visitation ministry. She had been a devoted volunteer at the Park Place Food Pantry.
She was a loving wife to Chuck and could forgive his many faults. She believed in the vows she took 57 years ago and fully lived up to them. She dearly loved her only son, David, as well as his wife Julie. She prayed daily for them. Her grandsons Christopher and Mathew, 30 granddaughter, Allison, 18 were always in her prayers as was her great-granddaughter, Emily, 7. She always looked forward to the camping days in Michigan with the boys when they were younger. Her library of children's books was always explored by the kids. She and Allison had wonderful tea parties and dress-up sessions. We also played "church" with the piano bench as the altar and Allison as the Priest. Papaw didn't always cooperate with the readings.
On her way to the ER for the last time, she said that her flowers needed watering and pointed out a weed to be pulled. That was Shirley!
She was preceded in death by her parents, Eldo and Martha (Wolf) Squires and a brother, Danny, 5.
She is survived by her husband, Charles, son David and daughter-in-law, Julie (Mayhew), Indianapolis; grandchildren, Christopher, Anderson; Matthew, Sarasota FL; Allison, Indianapolis, great granddaughter, Emily, McKee's Rocks, PA.
Also surviving are ten brothers and sisters: Marge (Roger) Stump, Marysville, MI; Ray (Kay) Squires, Port Huron, MI; Florence Dykins, Plainfield, IN; Robert (Ruth) Squires, La Crescenta, CA; Connie (Keith) Bennett, La Mesa, CA; Anne Kufeldt, Jacksonville, FL; Katherine Barnett, Paso Robles, CA; Elwin (Carolyn) Squires, Hayesville, NC; John (Marthanne) Squiers, Fayetteville, and Glenn (Mary Kay) Squires, Richmond Heights, MO. Also surviving is a brother-in-law, Rev. Robert Riggs, Brownstown, IN.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, August 8 at 11 am at Park Place Church of God, 501 College Drive Anderson, IN 46012 with Dr. David Markle officiating. There will be visitation one hour before the service in the Bessie Byrum Lounge. Memorials may be given to the Park Place Church Food Pantry.
A family celebration will be held in Port Huron September 27.
Post online condolences at www.rozelle-johnson.com.