Arbutus Shenshew

NAME ARBUTUS "FERN" SHENSHEW, age 88 of Aurora, went to rest with her Lord on Thursday, June 4, 2009. She had struggled with Muscular Dystrophy for a long time and it took a great toll on her last years. BORN: She was born on the Old Crow Homestead in Alford, IN, on October 13, 1920, the daughter of Lisle and Doral (Fair) Crow.EARLY YEARS :She grew up in Alford attending eight years of schooling before moving to Petersburg, IN where she graduated from high school in 1938. From a very small child, she found her way to Alford Methodist Church every Sunday morning and later in life, no matter where she made her home, found a place to worship.MARRIAGE In 1943 she met James Shenshew at Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, IN. He served his country in the United States Army and following his discharge, they were united in marriage on August 30, 1946 in Chandler, IN. They spent fifty-eight happy years together until his passing in December of 2004.RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: Following their marriage, they lived in Chandler, IN and welcomed the birth of their son Larry. The family moved to St. Charles, IL in 1951 and was blessed with their daughter Susan in 1953. Their family now complete, Arbutus became a very busy homemaker, caring for her family and maintaining their Christian home.OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY She was a willing worker all her life beginning by being her mother’s special helper as a child. As she grew so did her responsibilities. Arbutus worked several area jobs including the Old Country Store in Alford, IN where she sliced lunch meat and cheese, packed sugar and beans, and pumped kerosene and gasoline. She also taught Sunday school for several years. Nobody could match her in the kitchen as good food was always ready and the cookie jar was always filled for her children. Every summer Arbutus harvested Jim’s bountiful garden, canning and freezing until the pantry was full. MEMBERSHIPS Arbutus carried a special faith in her Lord and most recently was a member of the New England Congregational Church of Aurora. In earlier years she LIFE NOTES Arbutus especially enjoyed God’s Word and her many Christian books. Although mostly home bound in later years, she brought many joys to her family and friends with her cards, letters and phone calls. The Lord truly blessed her with a very special giving heart. She was always thinking of doing for others, never thinking of her self and lived out each day in faith and devotion to God, giving love and kindness to every one around her. She will be greatly missed by her family and those who knew her. SURVIVORS She now leaves her son Larry (Mary Lou) Shenshew of Henderson, NV, Her daughter, Susan (Michael) Herren of Aurora, IL, Three grandchildren:Kelly (Richard) Alcantara of Townsend, MA, Larry Jr. (Dantea) Shirley of Shirley, MA and Shelby Herren of Aurora;Two great-grandchildren:Melissa Shenshew and Christean Alcantara;Two sisters:Edith Fuller of Newburgh, IN, Margaret Hoskins of Evansville, IN;One brother, Lisle (Mary Kay) Crow of Boonville, IN;One sister-in-law, Bonnie Crow of Washington, IN;Twenty-seven nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly andNumerous cousins and a host of friends. PRECEDED She now joins her parents and Husband, three brothers: Bernard, Clyde and Lynden Crow; Three nieces, three sisters-in-law, three brother-in-laws and many cousins. The family wishes to thank Barb Welch of VNA for her special loving care, many other hospice volunteers and especially the weekly visits from Rev. Matt Merges, VNA Chaplain . VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Conley Funeral Home, 116. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home. Rev. Matt Merges, VNA Hospice Chaplain, will officiate and interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL. For those unable to attend, the service will be broadcast on the internet at www.conleycare.com beginning five minutes prior to the service time. It will also be available in on-demand format the following day. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in her name to benefit VNA Hospice as well as programs at New England Congregational Church in Aurora. Checks may be made to the "Arbutus Shenshew Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, June 7, 2009, at Conley Funeral Home, 116. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home. Rev. Matt Merges, VNA Hospice Chaplain will officiate.

Interment will follow at Kaneville Cemetery, Kaneville, IL.