1928
Shirley
2014
Shirley Townsend (Wooden)
November 23, 1928 — November 4, 2014
Shirley Jean Townsend, 85, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2014 at 3:40 PM in her Warsaw, Indiana home after a short illness.
Born in Loup City, NE, the sixth child of seven born to Mary Rosetta (Whiting) and William “Ray” Wooden, she grew up during the Depression, attending country schools. Before graduating from high school she moved to Omaha, Nebraska to live with her sister and family where she worked in a drug store.
One day, when riding the bus back home to her sister’s near Offutt AFB, Nebraska, a soldier just home from the war heard her laughing over a comic book. She married this soldier, John Allen Townsend Jr., on May 5, 1947 in Fremont, Nebraska. John re-joined the Air Force making Shirley a military wife, following him all over the world to places like Germany, France and the Philippines. They settled in Coldwater, Michigan in the late sixties after John retired from the Air Force.
As her children were older and wanting to return to the work force Shirley completed her high school education, graduating from Coldwater High School in 1973. She started working at JC Penny’s in 1974, retiring in 1989. After John’s death on February 29, 1992, she moved to Warsaw, Indiana where she was active at the Senior Center of Warsaw. As a homemaker Shirley enjoyed reading, baking and gardening. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her four children: John Allen Townsend, III of Indianapolis, Indiana; Warren Charles (and Cynthia) Townsend of Trenton, Michigan; Sandra June (and Brad Waldrom) Townsend of Chicago, Illinois; and Kathleen Townsend (and Eric) Shafer of Warsaw; 8 grandchildren: Jennifer Townsend, Matthew (Shelley) Townsend, Richard (Michelle) Pierson, Jessica Pierson Whitaker, Tyler (Jessica) Pierson, Elizabeth Townsend Hayes, Sarah (Sean) French and Laura (Rob) Lichy; 17 great grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Taffy. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, and one sister.
Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support of each other Thursday, November 6th from 4-7 PM at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580. A service celebrating the life of Shirley Jean Townsend will take place in the funeral home Friday, November 7th beginning at 2:00 PM with Pastor Bob Jarboe, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice chaplain, officiating. Burial will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan at a later date.
The family has asked that gifts in Shirley’s memory be given to Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, PO Box 1906, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1906.
The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the family and friends of Shirley Jean Townsend.
Born in Loup City, NE, the sixth child of seven born to Mary Rosetta (Whiting) and William “Ray” Wooden, she grew up during the Depression, attending country schools. Before graduating from high school she moved to Omaha, Nebraska to live with her sister and family where she worked in a drug store.
One day, when riding the bus back home to her sister’s near Offutt AFB, Nebraska, a soldier just home from the war heard her laughing over a comic book. She married this soldier, John Allen Townsend Jr., on May 5, 1947 in Fremont, Nebraska. John re-joined the Air Force making Shirley a military wife, following him all over the world to places like Germany, France and the Philippines. They settled in Coldwater, Michigan in the late sixties after John retired from the Air Force.
As her children were older and wanting to return to the work force Shirley completed her high school education, graduating from Coldwater High School in 1973. She started working at JC Penny’s in 1974, retiring in 1989. After John’s death on February 29, 1992, she moved to Warsaw, Indiana where she was active at the Senior Center of Warsaw. As a homemaker Shirley enjoyed reading, baking and gardening. She loved spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her four children: John Allen Townsend, III of Indianapolis, Indiana; Warren Charles (and Cynthia) Townsend of Trenton, Michigan; Sandra June (and Brad Waldrom) Townsend of Chicago, Illinois; and Kathleen Townsend (and Eric) Shafer of Warsaw; 8 grandchildren: Jennifer Townsend, Matthew (Shelley) Townsend, Richard (Michelle) Pierson, Jessica Pierson Whitaker, Tyler (Jessica) Pierson, Elizabeth Townsend Hayes, Sarah (Sean) French and Laura (Rob) Lichy; 17 great grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Taffy. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, and one sister.
Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support of each other Thursday, November 6th from 4-7 PM at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan Street, Warsaw, Indiana 46580. A service celebrating the life of Shirley Jean Townsend will take place in the funeral home Friday, November 7th beginning at 2:00 PM with Pastor Bob Jarboe, Kosciusko Home Care and Hospice chaplain, officiating. Burial will take place in Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan at a later date.
The family has asked that gifts in Shirley’s memory be given to Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, PO Box 1906, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1906.
The staff of Titus Funeral Home considers it a privilege to care for the family and friends of Shirley Jean Townsend.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Townsend (Wooden), please visit our flower store.
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