Maria "Ree" Elena Sheppard

Maria (Ree) Elena Sheppard, 63, of Berlin, died at 2:46 p.m. on December 28, 2009 at St. John's Hospital. Maria was born January 2, 1946 in Springfield, the daughter of Robert and Betty Burge Britton. She married George Sheppard on January 18, 1965 in New Berlin. Maria was an assembler at Honeywell-Hobbs Corporation in Springfield. She was a member of the UAW. She was a hard working lady who loved helping others, was a "second mother" to her younger siblings, and was a great mother and grandmother. She is preceded in death by her grandparents; parents; and a sister, Donna Davis. She is survived by her husband, George Sheppard of Berlin; son, Tommy Sheppard of Berlin; two grandchildren, Briana Sheppard of New Berlin and Tommy Sheppard, Jr. of Marine; five brothers, Jimmy Irvin of Springfield, Randy Irvin of Kingston, CO, Richard and Benjamin Irvin of Aurora, CO and Timmy Irvin of Berlin; six sisters, Janice Grant of Springfield, Judy (David) Brickey of Rochester, Rebecca (Larry) Wieties of Springfield, Christine Harvey of Decatur, Patricia Irvin of Chatham and Kelli Irvin of Edinburg; and several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 5:00 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at McCullough-Delaney & Butler Funeral Home, 714 E. Gibson St., New Berlin. Funeral ceremonies will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at McCullough-Delaney & Butler Funeral Home, with Pastor Paul Olson officiating. Burial will follow at Wood Wreath Cemetery in Island Grove Township.