Shirley A. (Eaton) Roeder

Shirley Roeder, 87, of Fortville, peacefully passed away Saturday, July 24, 2021, at home surrounded by her family.  She was born June 21, 1934, in Indianapolis to Walter E. and Dorothy M. (Privett) Eaton. Shirley was a 1952 graduate of Warren Central High School and attended Purdue University.

Shirley worked at many different places during her life.  She worked as a secretary at Chrysler Corporation; worked for Indianapolis Public Schools and the Mt. Vernon Community School System.  Shirley also worked for the Woodward Seed Company, but her favorite job was working for the Indiana State Police at the Pendleton post where she was the secretary for the Post Commander.  She retired from the Indiana State Police, but never one to rest, she then went to work for the Fortville-Vernon Township Library until she retired for good at the age of 80.  While living in the Fortville community, Shirley worked part-time for the Fortville Tribune and Fortville Community Shopper attending Fortville town hall meetings and Mt. Vernon Community School Board meetings.  

Shirley was an active person throughout her life; she loved gardening, cooking, and canning, crafting, quilting, sewing teddy bears, kitchen witches, dolls and puppets.  She was an accomplished seamstress who also enjoyed crocheting and knitting.  Shirley also enjoyed painting with watercolors, reading, dancing and occasionally tipped her toe in the water enjoying synchronized swimming.  She was a patriotic person who loved her country and our flag.  She was a very selfless person, always putting others first. Shirley loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and siblings. She enjoyed attending her grandsons' cross country and track events, no matter how far she had to travel.  They enjoyed several family trips to the local casinos.

Shirley is survived by daughter: Debbie Roeder of Indianapolis; sons: Mike (Dionne) Roeder of Florida and Rob Roeder of Fortville; grandsons: Justin (wife Amanda Zolman) Roeder and Madison (Kinsey Forston) Roeder of Indianapolis; sister Alice Eaton as well as several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Norbert H. “Nub” Roeder in 2018, her parents, and brother Jim Eaton.  

The family will celebrate Shirley’s life with a reception on Saturday, July 31, 2021, from 1 to 4 pm at the family home 2176 W. Orchard Drive, Fortville.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project , P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.  Online condolences may be shared at www.sealsfuneralhome.com.

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