May 20, 2016
Thank you for joining us. My name is Mike, husband to Linda, son in law to Shirley. Jim, Debbie, and Linda are grateful you are here for this memorial to Shirley.
Everyone here who knows Shirley of course has an opinion of her. Seeing that we’re here to talk about and dwell a while on her, in a few moments, I would welcome any of you, her friends and family, an opportunity to step forward and share a few thoughts with the rest of us.
While you take a moment to consider that, I’ll ask if Jim or the family has anything to say.
When I first met Mom, I was a Junior in High School. She was still able to drive at the time, but not for much longer. That was just over 30 years ago. As time passed, my relationship with Linda’s family has grown wonderfully close.
Three things about Shirley that have stood out to me: The way she loved her family; the state of her spirit, her soul; and life with a disease that would ultimately take her life. These three are not everything about her, but are much of the person I’ve known. And because each of us is an inescapable integration of our circumstances and how we perceive it, I myself am comfortable relating her to you in this way.
These three things are integral to describing the person we’ve come here today to remember.
I am glad to be a part of, to be loved by, the Elsner clan. I am glad to have been able to contribute to helping Mom, especially when she really, really needed it. And, I am glad to have discussed her thoughts and feelings about God.
Referring back to my statement that we are all an integration of our life’s circumstances and how we perceive it, I’m going to share what I have seen of her life as a physically disabled, yet still a content, person.
The reason I point this out is that through it all, Mom’s demeanor was content. Rather than spiraling down into bitterness as life got tougher, Mom remained buoyant until the end. We all know this.
Three things thrill me about Mom as I reflect upon her. Our 30 years in a loving relationship, her turning away from delusion to a saving faith and relationship with Jesus, and an existence not simply free of disease and pain, but more so of closest relationship with the Jesus I know and love.
Obituary
Shirley Ann Elsner (Kersey) passed away October 27th in Mesa, Arizona. Shirley was born on October 11, 1938 in Gary, Indiana to parents Ewart and Ann Kersey. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ronald (Judy) Kersey. Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, H. James Elsner, sister Cheryl (Bill Edmaiston) King of Hobart, IN, and two daughters, Deborah (Randy Summers) Elsner of Queen Creek, Arizona and Linda (Mike) Scheffer, of Hebron, Indiana, adored grandchildren Brianna (Timothy) Manning, Montana Dahlgren, Matthew Scheffer, Hannah Scheffer and Justin Dahlgren. Shirley was overjoyed to welcome great granddaughter Riann Nicole Manning in August of 2014.
Shirley was raised in Lake Station, Indiana and graduated from East Edison High School in 1956. There, Shirley met many friends that she stayed in touch over the years, having a monthly lunches during the summer and reunions each year. She was blessed to have life long friends that she knew and loved since a girl.
Shirley met her husband Jim Elsner when she was employed at Gary-Hobart Water Corporation. Shirley enjoyed her employment and served the company in many capacities. She was an excellent organizer and typist. Shirley always strived for perfection in whatever she did.
Shirley and Jim married on August 27th of 1960 and lived on Lincoln Street in Hobart, Indiana. In 1963, Shirley gave birth to their first child, Deborah Marie. Shirley and Jim moved to their longtime home in Merrillville in 1965. Their second daughter, Linda Jean, arrived in 1967.
Shirley devoted her life to being the best wife, mother and grandmother one could imagine. Her family was profoundly touched by her life; in her bright joy, encouraging and care-free smile, and her deep, loving continence. Shirley loved with no strings attached. The grace she gave freely was never with an expectation of return. If somebody knew Shirley, they knew that her love would defy miles and minutes; it was constant, and self-sacrificial.
Shirley was born with a birth defect that weakened the left side of her body, and in the early 1970s developed Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. This disease slowly took away physical abilities, but Shirley always found a way to adjust and in her words “find another way”. Shirley’s grace and positive attitude despite the slow decline the disease brought, inspired many people. Her adversities never changed or dampened her positive attitude or love of life.
Jim retired in 2000 and they extended their yearly vacations to Arizona, where Deborah and her family lived. In 2005, they sold their longtime home in Merrillville, Indiana and then split time between their lovely home in Mesa, Arizona and their daughter Linda’s home in Hebron, Indiana. They spent summers in Indiana enjoying the warm weather and grandchildren, friends and family, and avoided the harsh winters in the comfort of their “sunny Arizona” home with Deborah and their grandchildren close by.
A private family service will be held in Mesa, Arizona. A memorial service will be planned for June in Indiana. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.