Shirley Jean Stewart, 93, of Columbia, MO died Tuesday, May 8th, 2018 in Tulsa, OK. A graveside service will be held at 9 AM Saturday May, 12th in the Veterans Cemetery Section of Memorial Park Cemetery, Reverend Fred Leist officiating.
Shirley was born July 20th, 1924 to Albert and Carrie Charles in Fort Dodge, IA. She moved to McLean, IL where she lived above her father’s grain store and chicken hatchery. She graduated from McLean High School in 1942 and went to work for State Farm Insurance Company’s home office in Bloomington, IL. It was at State Farm she met her beloved husband Donald Stewart. They were married in 1946 after Don returned from serving in WWII. They were married for 68 years until Don’s death in 2014.
Don and Shirley moved to Columbia, MO in 1956 when Don went to work for the newly opened State Farm Regional office. Shirley was a devoted wife to Don and mother to Darlene, Randy and Janet. She was active in the Missouri United Methodist Church and was a member for over 62 years. She was also active in the MUMC Ladies Circle and State Farm Employee activities. Shirley worked for the Ellis Fischel Breast Demonstration Project at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Hospital. She was an avid sports fan, cheering on the St Louis Cardinals and Missouri Tigers. In 2014 Shirley moved to Tulsa, OK to live with her daughter after Don’s death.
The family would like to thank Saint Francis Hospice of Tulsa for their excellent care, and neighbors Mary Wozney and Louise Martin who were so caring and helpful to Don and Shirley in their later years. A special thanks to Janet, her daughter, for the loving care of her mother while in Tulsa.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband Don, son-in-law Mark Allen Zangari and grandson Robert Mueller.
Survivors include her children: daughter Darlene Mueller and husband Randy of Omaha, NE; a son Randy Stewart and wife Debra of Amarillo, TX; a daughter Janet Zangari of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren David Stewart and wife Mary of Dallas, TX, John Stewart of Los Angeles, CA, Leslie Fonda and husband James of Omaha, NE, and Andi Zangari of Tulsa; greatgrandchildren Harper and Beckham Stewart of Dallas, TX.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Missouri United Methodist Church 204 S 9th St, Columbia, Mo 65201; Nebraska Children’s Home Society 4939 South 118th Street Omaha, NE 68137; Saint Francis Hospice 6600 S Yale #350 Tulsa, OK 74136.
