Shirley M. Crowder (nee Hurlburt), age 75 of Hobart, passed away on Thursday, June 27, 2013 at The VNA Hospice Center in Valparaiso. Shirley was born on October 16, 1937 to Emery and Josephine Hurlburt. She was a graduate of Merrillville High School 1955. Shirley was employed at John Wood Elementary School for 26 years as a cashier and lead cook. She married Harold Crowder on September 1, 1956 in Hobart. Shirley enjoyed taking care of her family, working suduko, word puzzles and watching game shows.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband Harold of Hobart; 2 sons, Greig (Debbie) Crowder of Indianapolis, Jerry (Linda) Crowder of Duncan, SC; 2 daughters, Pam (Jim Lilley) Ferguson of Hobart, Kathi (Jesse) Garland of Martinsville, IN; 6 grandchildren, Brandi (Keith) Hunt, Lauren (Dan) VandeWalle, Heather (Ryan) Shaw, Katie Crowder, Michael Ferguson, and Blake Garland; 2 great grandchildren, Logan Hunt and Morgan VandeWalle with a baby boy Shaw and baby girl Hunt on the way ; 6 nieces, 10 nephews and 12 cousins. Preceded in death by her parents, 1 niece and 2 nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The VNA Hospice or to the donor's choice.
A funeral service for Shirley will be held on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. at Four Seasons Methodist Church 9100 E. 109th Ave., Crown Point, IN with Pastor Dan Richwine officiating. Burial will follow at Calumet Park, Merrillville. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 30, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Rees Funeral Home, 600 West Old Ridge Road, Hobart, IN with a 7:00 p.m. Order of the Eastern Star service. There will be additional visitation on Monday from 9:30 until the time of the service at church. For more information please call 219-942-2109 or online at Reesfuneralhomes.com.