Shirley Mather, the daughter of George Edward and Lena Bertha (Erdman) Schoonover, was born April 15, 1938, in Langdon, Missouri. She attended Rock Port High School, Rock Port, Missouri, graduating in 1956.
On February 8, 1957, Shirley was united in marriage to Dean Mather at the Rock Port Lutheran Church and they had three children, Gale, Jeff and Curtis. Dean passed away in October of 2022.
Shirley was employed by Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, as a Restorative Aide before attending Northwest Missouri State University School of Practical Nursing, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nursing certificate in 1980. Shirley then was employed by Community Hospital-Fairfax, Fairfax, Missouri, where she worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse for 30 plus years where she later retired.
Shirley was a member of the Rock Port Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, and knitting. For many years, Dean and Shirley spent the winters in Mesa, Arizona. Shirley passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Pleasant View Nursing Home, Rock Port, at the age of 86.
Besides her parents and husband, Dean Mather, Shirley was preceded in death by siblings, George Schoonover, Jr., and Betty Henry. Survivors include children, Gale (Terry) Spinks, St. Louis, Missouri, Jeff (Laura) Mather, Maryville, Missouri, and Curtis (LeAnn) Mather, Lebanon, Missouri; grandchildren, Brian (Kati) Spinks, Christy (Steve) Agrippino, Clay (Breanna) Mather, Caleb (Baylee) Mather, Justin Mather, Mitch (Sarah) Mather, and Cole (Bethany) Mather; great-grandchildren, Kobe and Kolten Agrippino, Wesley and Logan Spinks, June Mather, and one great-grandson on the way; siblings, Robert Schoonover, Skeet Schoonover, and Janice Murry; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
A funeral service was held Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Rock Port Baptist Church, conducted by Pastor Richard Boettner. Private family inurnment will be held at a later date at Home Cemetery, Tarkio, Missouri. Memorials may be directed to American Cancer Society. Services were under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. Online condolences may be made at www.minterfuneralchapels.com.
