Shirley Mae Wessler the daughter of Clarence and Ruby (Carder) Barnhart was born April 5, 1935 in Rock Port, Missouri. She graduated from Rock Port High School in 1953.
On September 19, 1953 Shirley was united-in-marriage to Clarence (Tim) Wessler at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Westboro, by Rev. Frederick C. Nolte. They made their home on the Wessler family farm and became the parents of two daughters, Lesa and Deon. In 1959 they moved to Rock Port and continued farming in the Watson-Rock Port area. In the early 1990’s they moved just east of Rock Port where Shirley lived at the present time. Tim passed away June 10, 2004. Shirley passed away Saturday, May 28, 2016 at a care facility in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 81.
Interment will be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at High Creek Cemetery, Watson, Missouri. Reverend Dave Klappenback will officiate. The family has chosen memorial service to be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, June 24, 2016, First Lutheran Church, Rock Port.
Shirley loved music and sang in many weddings and funerals. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, Rock Port and served as director of the Adult and Confirmation Choir, and Bible School music director and held offices in W.E.L.C.A. She was a member and enjoyed singing for Eastern Star, Sweet Adeline’s and Cosmopolitan Clubs. She was also a 4-H Leader and a member of the Metropolitan Singers and volunteered many years for hospice. She enjoyed playing Bridge and belonged to many Bridge Clubs. However her greatest joy was spending time with her family, specifically her daughters and granddaughters and attending their sporting events.
Shirley and Tim were blessed to have enjoyed many cruises with dear friends and traveled to several parts of the world, including the Panama Canal and Hawaii. Her family also enjoyed many summer vacations together and weekends at Big Lake.
Besides her parents and husband Tim, Shirley was preceded in death by her daughter Deon Starman, sister, Cassalou Stanton, brother-in-law, Robert Lee Stanton, brother-in-law, Paul Wessler and sisters-in-law, Lillian Thiesfeld and Edna Carlson. Survivors include, daughter, Lesa McCartney and her husband Jack, Kirksville; granddaughters, Kinsey McCartney, Menlo Park, California, Courtney Gerster and her husband Mark, Colorado Springs, Colorado and great grandson, Emmett Gerster; sisters-in-law, Pat Wessler, Tarkio and Doris Ann Stanton, Rock Port; former son-in-law, David Starman; numerous nieces and nephews; special friends Edie Beasing, Sharon Hughes and Mary Finnell; Shirley’s care giver, Michele Pfeil, and a host of friends.
Memorials may be directed to the Rock Port Nutrition Center, First Lutheran Church or High Creek Cemetery.
Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port ~ Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com