Shirley May Shader

Shirley M. Shader passed away on Friday, September 15th in St. Petersburg, Florida. She was the beloved wife of Jack W. Shader, Sr. Shirley was born in Mt. Penn, Reading, PA, daughter of the late Violet May (Ash) Miller and Russell Wilbur Miller.

She was a 1946 honors graduate of John Harris High School in Harrisburg PA where she met the love of her life, Jack, in the 8th grade. After dating throughout high school, they married in 1948 and were blessed to celebrate 66 1/2 years of marriage before his passing in 2015. She then relocated to Lewes, DE to live with her daughter, Sharon Kreitzer.

Shirley was employed as a secretary at Goodyear, then became a homemaker after her 2 children were born. She was a past member of Trio Chapter 544, Order of Eastern Star and a member of St. John’s Lutheran, Church, Shiremanstown, PA. Shirley loved the Christmas holidays and spent many hours transforming every room of her home into a Christmas wonderland. She enjoyed sharing Christmas with everyone and held annual Christmas programs in her home for the ladies of her church.

Shirley & Jack enjoyed entertaining — she was an outstanding hostess while Jack was busy topping off everyone’s drinks. Shirley and Jack shared a love of big band & Frank Sinatra music and enjoyed dancing together to their favorite song “They Say That Falling in Love Is Wonderful”. They enjoyed traveling including trips to Hawaii, Scottsdale Arizona, Grand Hotel Mackinac Island, Greenbrier resort, Don Cesar at St. Pete Beach and their favorite destination Switzerland. Shirley made extensive scrapbooks with photos and information of all their trips. She was always ready with the camera in her purse to snap a photo & shared copies of her photos with everyone.

Shirley was a great cook, however in later years, she and Jack enjoyed dining out for their meals and when asked what she most liked to make, she happily responded “reservations!”

Shirley was predeceased by her husband Jack W. Shader, Sr. her son, Jack W. Shader, Jr. and her sister Marilyn J. Launse. She is survived and deeply missed by her loving daughter, Sharon Kreitzer.

Shirley was beautiful both inside and out. She lived a long and sweet life, always lighting up the room with her smile. She was a devoted and loving wife and a wonderful mother. This remarkable, classy, beautiful woman, wife, mother, friend and neighbor was gracious and generous to the end. Inseparable in life, Shirley has followed Jack to heaven to continue their love story. As they lived together in happiness, may they rest together in peace.

A viewing will be held on Saturday September 23, 2023 10:00-11:00am at St. John’s Lutheran Church; 44 W Main St, Shiremanstown, PA 17011. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00am. Burial will take place in Rolling Green Cemetery; 1811 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill, PA 17011.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Shirley‘s memory to: Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760, or St. John’s Lutheran Church, 44 W Main Street, Shiremanstown, PA 17011.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neillcamphill.com for the Shader family.