Shirley Joan Carson Fitch, age 90, of Casey, IL passed away surrounded by her loving family at 4:08 p.m. on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Villas of Holly Brook, Effingham, IL. She was born on September 11, 1932 to Loren and Thelma Carson of Casey, IL. She married her high school sweetheart Ralph Fitch on November 26, 1953 in Hazel Dell, IL.
Survivors include her loving husband of sixty-nine years, Ralph Fitch of Casey, IL; two sons, Brad (Marie) Fitch of Greenup, IL and Bryan (Terri) Fitch of Herrin IL; two grandchildren, Bryce (Jennifer) Fitch of Toledo, IL and Chelsea (Nate) Messmer of Kirkwood, MI; and two darling great granddaughters, Eden and Blythe Fitch of Toledo, IL with a Messmer great grandson in Kirkwood coming in April. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Russell “Bub” Carson; first husband, Don Ulrey; half-sister, Rosalie McMillian Odell; and a very special niece, Marlene Davidson.
Shirley was a 1951 graduate of Casey High School, Casey, IL. She earned a Master’s in Education at Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL. Shirley shared her joy of learning by teaching at Casey Grade School for twenty years. She also helped her husband farm. Shirley was a faithful member of the Casey First Christian Church for seventy-three years serving as Elder, Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, and Treasurer.
Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Casey First Christian Church, 200 SE 8th St., Casey, IL with Pastor Tim Laymon and Pastor Herschel Pumphrey officiating. Burial will follow at Washington Street Cemetery, Casey, IL. Visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday prior to the service at the church.
Those wishing to donate in memory of Shirley can do so by purchasing books or giving to the Casey Library, 307 E. Main St., Casey, IL 62420 to help with their building expansion.
To view the full obituary, send a condolence message, light a candle, or post photos, visit www.markwellfuneralhome.com. Markwell Funeral Home of Casey, IL is in charge of the arrangements.
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