Shirley Jean Hollenbaugh

Shirley was born January 28, 1936 in Chicago, Illinois to William and Ruby Bast. She grew up with her parents and three sisters in the nearby township of Glenview, IL. Shirley married Roy Endrulat in 1957, and together they built their family and home in Morton Grove, IL. Shirley and Roy moved their family to Longwood, FL in 1976 where she established new roots, friendships, career and recreation. Two years after being widowed (1984), in 1986, God’s providence knit together a new extended family for her with widower Ron Hollenbaugh and his 6 children, two of the six young enough to be in her care in their home.

Shirley’s life is one that is marked by Christian service to others, and a lifelong commitment and pursuit of developing her God-given gifts and talents for the better of those that she loved and served in all that she did. Marked by efficiency and diligence, Shirley built and impeccably maintained her homes for the enjoyment of her family. Prior to retirement, she was secretary to the nearby Sears offices. As her kids were growing she sold Avon and worked at the local grade and middle schools, some think, to keep an eye on her son. Wherever she went, she graced all with her smile, and optimistic and joyful personality. Her paintbrushes in life were a needle, a thread, and powerful sewing station. She hand-crafted everything from clothing, to costumes, quilts and home décor. Her real sewing passion was in making Teddy Bears with purpose. In her retirement she built her Teddy Bear business of repurposing unusable heirloom clothing and military uniforms into meaningful family heirlooms, to be cherished by others.

A quiet servant in nature, Shirley accepted Jesus into her heart at a young age and her life demonstrated a love for her Savior in all that she did for her family, community, her church and her church family. She was a living example of what an ambassador for Christ “lives like” in her daily life. She was patient and kind and understood that her life was a journey to an eternal life with her Lord and Savior. She was a blessing to all those around her in all that she did.

Shirley is survived by her younger twin sisters, Sharon (Doug) Peck and Karen Gehl, her three children, Shery (Gary) Unrath, Jeff (Beth) Endrulat, and Linda Wilhelm, 10 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Also dear to Shirley are the 6 children and their families that were brought into the fold with her marriage to Ron Hollenbaugh.

Funeral Services for Shirley will be held at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Longwood, FL, 830 SR-434, Longwood, FL 32750 on July 6th at 11:00am. There will be a reception immediately following her service at the church fellowhip hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to her home church St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Longwood, FL 32750. https://www.ststephen.org/