Louise Shew

Louise A. Shew, 89, of Battle Creek, Michigan passed peacefully on Thursday August 11, 2016, at her home surrounded by loving family. She was born July 4, 1927 to Hubert R. Western Sr. and Monnie E. (Wilder) Western in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was raised in Battle Creek and was a 1945 graduate of Battle Creek Central High School. She continued her education at Mercy College in Detroit, Michigan where she graduated as a Registered Nurse. She began her nursing career in 1949 at Leila Hospital in Battle Creek and the office of Doctors Finch, Morrison, McCuaig, Leitch and Young. She retired from Nursing in 1985 after a 40 year career in the medical field where she made many lifelong friends and touched so many lives. While employed she was a member of the Michigan State Nurses Association, The Calhoun County Medical Association and Valentine Center for Senior Citizens. In 1950 she married the love of her life, Thomas J. Shew at the Battle Creek Friends Church and they enjoyed 61 happy years together. Her greatest joys in life were centered on her family. She was especially excited about her newest Great-Grandchild Parker and looked forward to new pictures, Facetime and videos each day.  Louise also cherished her Church family, neighborhood children and neighborhood families and friends. Louise is survived by children: Patricia L. (Jay) Shew-Roffey of Charlotte and Thomas M. (Renee) Shew of Gilbert, Arizona. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, Gina (James) Snyder, Mark (Jennifer) Shew, Sarah Shew, Brady (Kim) Roffey, Michael Shew, Chase Mueller, Cole Mueller and two great Grandchildren, Jason Douglas Snyder and Parker Addison Shew. Also surviving is her brother Hubert R. (Gloria) Western Jr of Hastings, Michigan, brother-in-law C. Max Shew of Folsom, California and sister-in-law Mary (Carl) Magnuson of Winona Lake, Indiana; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her husband Thomas, her parents, sister JoAnne Lawler, sisters-in-law Evelyn Murray, Betty Shew-Rose and Gwen Burley and brothers-in-law Clyde Shew, Michael Lawler and James Shew. Louise was a charter member of the Battle Creek Friends Church and worked in the nursery there at Sunday morning services.  She loved her flower gardens and working in the yard and greatly valued her many happy memories of socializing and traveling with friends and family. A specifically treasured weekly event was “girl’s night out” with very special friends Grace and Sue, whenever she was able to attend. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home where friends and family will be received from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held at the Battle Creek Friends Church at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday August 18, 2016 and officiated by Pastor Kelly Hadlich. Committal and internment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Personal messages may be sent to the family at www.henryfuneralhome.org.

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