Published: November 09, 2009 02:25 pm      

Obituaries 11/06/09

SHIRLEY ANN THOMAS BIDERDORF

ABILENE — Funeral services celebrating the life of Shirley Ann Thomas Biberdorf will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 at 2 p.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church at 4933 S. 7th in Abilene.

Interment will be at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9. Services are under the direction of North's Funeral Home of Abilene.

Shirley went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 4, 2009 at Abilene Regional Medical Center.

Shirley was born in Gainesville on March 1, 1936 to Travis and Laura Marie Thomas. She lived in Gainesville until she married Otto L. Biberdorf on May 10, 1958 in Ardmore, Okla. Shirley and Otto lived in Ardmore until they were transferred to Fairfield, Calif. Their son, Brent was born there in 1962. Otto was in the U.S. Air Force and his career took them to many duty stations. After California they lived in Puerto Rico, again in California, the Philippines and then in Topeka, Kan. When Otto was sent to Vietnam Shirley returned with Brent and resided in Gainesville with her parents for a year.

Upon Otto’s return they were transferred to Abilene where Otto eventually retired from military service and Shirley became active in the community. Shirley was employed by Abilene I.S.D. for 24 years. She was an active member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and the Gleaners organization of her church. She also belonged to TOPS.

Her greatest love was her husband and family. She loved to travel and enjoyed many camping trips with her extended family over the years. The family will remember and treasure the many wonderful times that Shirley made possible. She was a wonderful cook and one of her most requested recipes was for her “famous and delicious” fudge. The family gatherings and church functions will sorely miss her chocolate delight contributions, too!

Shirley was the epitome of a true lady with a kind, generous, and loving heart. No one, human or animal, would be allowed to suffer or go hungry if she knew it. Her love for all of God’s kingdom was to become the stuff of family legend. The strays and foundlings she rescued were numerous.

Her recent illness was born with a quiet strength and determination to protect and love her family with all the energy she possessed. Her courage and poise in this difficult time was an example to us all.

She will be greatly missed by her family as well as her many friends.

She is survived by her loved and loving husband, Otto of Abilene; their adored son and wife, Brent and Holly Biberdorf of Abilene; and her beloved sister, Melody K. Helton of Gainesville; nephews, Chet Wheeler and wife, Kelly of Justin, Scott Wheeler and wife Cathy of Lewisville, Mark Helton and son, Alex of Athens and Matthew Helton and wife Crystal of Sherman and great-niece and great-nephew, Paige and Jacob Langley and their dad, Chris of Enterprise, Ala.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Carolyn Thomas Wheeler and niece, Laura Helton Langley.

Pallbearers include her nephews, Chet and Scott Wheeler, Mark and Matthew Helton, Mark Koslan, John Klemp, Harold Hohhertz and David Coker, all of Abilene.

Visitation will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church from 12-2 p.m. prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League or Gleaners of Our Savior Lutheran Church.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com.





RUTH SHEIL

VALLEY VIEW — A funeral service for Ruth Sheil, 65, of Valley View, is set for 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2009 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home with Rev. Don Yeager officiating.

Burial will follow in the Fairview Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home.

Mrs. Sheil died Nov. 3, 2009 at the North Texas Medical Center.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Sheil of Valley View; son, James L. Sheil of Oklahoma City, Okla.; daughter, LeAnn M. Rogers of Forth Worth; son, Eric Sheil of Valley View; son, Alan Sheil of Valley View; mother, Freeda Clark; brother Robert Clark and sister, Beverly Kehnemund all of Enid, Okla.

You may sign the online registry at www.geojcarroll.com.