Obituary for Shirley Schmeling

Shirley Ann Schmeling formerly of Blackwell, Oklahoma, died Tuesday, April 1, 2014, in the Pikes Peak Hospice in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the age of 78 years.

Shirley Ann Schmeling was born on September 3, 1935, in Grant County, South Dakota, to Clarence and Jennie (Shroeder) Steffenson. She grew up in Twin Brooks, South Dakota, and graduated from South Shore High School on May 15, 1953. She married Joseph Harold Schmeling Jr. on September 10, 1955, in Milbank, South Dakota, and they settled in Watertown, South Dakota. In 1967, work transferred them to Guymon, Oklahoma, where they resided for twenty-nine years. Following Joe’s retirement, they moved to Lone Jack, Missouri, and in 2001 moved to Blackwell to make their home. Following her husband’s death in 2005 she moved to Woodward, Oklahoma, to be near family. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Woodward. She enjoyed shopping, cooking, cards and games. Her most enjoyment came in teasing and spending time with her seven grandchildren.

She is survived by a daughter, Lenae Thomas and husband Greg and their children, Madison, Logan, Dawson and Brooklyn, all of Colorado Springs, Colorado; a son, Reed Schmeling and wife Christy and their children, Jessie, Harlie and Joseph, all of Mutual, Oklahoma; a brother, Virgil Steffenson of Castle Rock, Colorado; and a sister, Joyce “Dollie” Westphal of Grand Junction, Colorado.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Ardell Schmeling.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday, April 7th in the First Presbyterian Church in Woodward with Rev. Gay Cocheres officiating. Burial will follow at 3:30 p.m. in the Blackwell Cemetery.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation for cancer research in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.