"Our thoughts and prayers are with you as mourn the death of your loved one. My God bless you all and may his hand be on you and give you comfort. "
Shirley Jean Armstrong, daughter of Fred and Cora (Canon) Ayres, was born on April 5, 1935 in Shenandoah, Iowa. She passed away on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at Immanuel Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska following a lengthy bout with cancer.
Her early life was spent in Shenandoah where she received her education from the Shenandoah Community Schools. On August 1, 1952, Shirley was united in marriage to Walter Armstrong in Shenandoah. Following their marriage they made their home in rural Coin, Iowa on the farm. Shirley worked a variety of jobs over the years. She initially worked as a switchboard operator and later worked at the following places: Henry Fields Nursery, Leacox Drug Store, Eaton Transmission, Travis Pharmacy, Murphy's Coin Café and briefly at the Coin Library. Shirley was a member of the First Christian Church in Shenandoah as a youth and was a member of the Coin United Methodist Church as an adult. Shirley enjoyed the following activities: bingo, bowling, word puzzles, going to the casino, shopping, crafts, cooking, helping with Operation Blessing, visiting relatives and any activities involving young children. Most of all she loved spending time with her grandkids, great grandkids and family.
Preceding Shirley in death were her parents and two brothers, Dean and Don Ayres. Survivors include her husband, Walter Armstrong of Coin, IA; daughter, Dianne Jamison and her husband Scott of Ottawa, IL; son, Steve Armstrong and his wife Marcia of Coin, IA; seven grandchildren, Andy Jamison and his fiance Shannon Means of Elkhart, IN, Nikki Carlson and her husband Todd of Clarinda, IA, Matt Jamison of Indianapolis, IN, Katie Son and her husband Nate of Pella, IA, Jeffrey Armstrong and his wife Lori of Northboro, IA, Jenny Armstrong of Coin, IA, and Jessica Jamison of Ottawa, IL; three great grandchildren, Levi and Blake Son of Pella, IA and Colby Carlson of Clarinda, IA; two brothers, Bill Ayres and his wife Ann and Mick Ayres and his wife Maxine; four sisters, Eunice Preo and her husband Bob, Mary Brink and her husband Lee, Nancy Ketcham and her husband Larry and Pat Farquhar and her husband Lyle; sister-in-law, Jean Ayres; other relatives and many friends.
Celebration of life memorial services were held on Sunday, February 4, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at the Coin United Methodist Church in Coin, Iowa. Words of comfort were given by the Rev. Carl Phillips. Special music was "When I Get To Where I'm Going" sung by Jeff Armstrong and "How To Say Goodbye" sung by Katie Son. Other musical selections were "Amazing Grace" and "Love, Me". Attending the memory register were Burtis Aufenkamp and Marlene Racine. Caring for the flowers were Sharon Brought, Mildred Hawn, Marilyn Kiethly and Darlene Whitmore. Ushers were Lester Racine and Darrell D. Murphy. Private family inurnment of the cremains was in the Union Grove Cemetery at Northboro, Iowa. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah was entrusted with the arrangements.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you as mourn the death of your loved one. My God bless you all and may his hand be on you and give you comfort. "
"From a classmate. Gloria Croy is in a nursing home in los Altos,california and desired to have this message delivered to the family. Gloria extends her deepest sympathy and wishes the family well in there loss. Gloria had polio when she was only 8 and remembered Shirley as one who always treated her so nice in school.fond memories of a special classmate and a wonderful person. gloria croy"
"Shirley had a lot of courage and faced her trials with grace and determination. I send my sympathies."
"Marilyn Kay parman&Terry ann Schaper&Brian&Lisa Hummel former Schaper wish to send our deep sympathy toward the Armstrong family Shirley will surely be missed alots at least she is in no more pain and has to suffer anymore bless everyone dear heart we send our deepest prayer for you and your family this comming week.Knowing that God will watch over you and guide you and comfort you in time of your deepest need.We all care about you all Love you always as a long time friends from the Parmans&Schaper&Hummel 1110 west Lowell ave Shenandoah Iowa 51601"
" Shirley was a very pleasant person who loved humor and seeing everyone else happy,that was her reward. we are all blessed for being a part of such a giving and understanding lady. May the lord bless her and keep her forever as she will always be remembered for her kind ways. In Jesus name we pray. david and barbara croy"
"Walter and Family, Our sympathy goes out to you and all the family at this time of sorrow. We know Shirley has battled with physical problems for some time. We also believe that she is now at peace and free from pain and suffering. Our prayers are with you. Donald and Marilyn Brown"
"I have very fond memories of Shirley and her family. The most recent, playing bingo with Mom at the VFW Post in Clarinda. Shirley hardly ever missed and always was so kind to my Mom. As a young man, I remember working for Walter and Grandfather Don on the farm and loving being around the whole family. Walter was always soft spoken and a great person to work for. Shirley's legacy will be her two children and her grandchildren. Steve has always been one of the nicest young men I have known and has a great family too. Shirley was so proud of them. And then there was Diane. She is and remains one of the sweetest girls I have ever known. Our paths haven't crossed for several years, but Shirley always kept me updated on her and Scott and the kids. The whole family will greatly miss Shirley as I will too. Having lost my Mom two years ago, I feel your pain. But better days are ahead. Love you all, Carl "
"Dear Walter, Diane, Steve and Families: I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I remember Shirley as being such a friendly and energetic person as I was growing up and after I settled in Coin during the early 70's. May you feel God's love at this time as he holds you dearly in his arms giving you strength and peace to get you through the difficult days ahead. You are in my prayers. In Christian Sympathy: Faren Rasmussen "
"Walt,Steve&Family,Nicki&Family Marcia and I would like to take this time to send our condolences at a difficult period when words are hard & few to discribe your lose. We have known Shirley and Walt since 1976 when I worked on the family farm doing electrical & plumbing jobs. Steve & Family doing appliance work and Nicki and Todds doing applince work. Your families have always been close to our hearts and we feel a great lose at this time as well! May your days ahead be filled with lots of Love and Compation and your strenth thru GOD help you thru this difficult time. We will not be able to attend the services for Shirley as we are in Arizona but our prayers will be with your families at this time"