Shirley Conard Boshell, age 97, of Ottawa, Illinois, joined our Heavenly Father Saturday, September 28, 2019. Shirley was born in Serena Township to Cartha and Maude Gillette on April 30, 1922. When she was just six years of age, her mother passed away, leaving four young children. A few years later, her father was killed in an automobile accident. After her mother passed away, Shirley’s grandmother, Mitylene Williams lived with the family for five years. She always saw to it that they went to church and Sunday School and were raised to love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Shirley graduated from Serena High School. She married Wilson R. Conard on March 17, 1942, and they lived for a number of years on a farm in Wallace Township. Wilson “Bill” passed away July 1, 1985. They had two daughters, Joan (James) Brooke of Ottawa and Gayle (John) Elliott of Golden, CO.
Shirley had four grandchildren, Jason (Nancy) Brooke of Charleston, SC, Jenel Brooke of Ethiopia, Chris (Suzie) Kolin of Golden, CO and Laura (Jesse) Duplessis of Lakewood, CO. She had ten great-grandchildren, Jonathan, Steven and Ben of Charleston; Sarah and Tamarah of Ethiopia; Brenden, Megan and Stefen of Golden; Bailey and Peyton of Lakewood.
Shirley had two sisters and one brother who preceded her in death: Ebal (Elbert) Anderson, Elaine (Walter) Zellmer and Norman “Bub” (Karen) Gillette.
Shirley married Harold Boshell on December 10, 1989, and they lived in Ottawa for sixteen years. Harold passed away on April 18, 2005.
She was always active in her community. Shirley led a 4-H Club in Wallace Township for 17 years. She was a member of the Harding Methodist Church for over 70 years and taught Sunday School for 30 years. She was one of the chairmen for a few years for the Harding Church’s turkey supper, which they hosted 52 years, serving nearly 1000 people one year. She was a very generous and loving lady, and she loved to play cards!
Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 3rd at Gladfelter-Roetker Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at Harding United Methodist Church on Friday, October 4th at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Rich Fassig officiating. She will be laid to rest at Oakwood Memorial Park.
Memorial gifts may be given to St. Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital or to the American Cancer Society.
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