Maureen Zachman Shepard, age 91, passed peacefully Saturday morning September 26, 2015. Her cherished family surrounded Mom as she left for her eternal home in heaven. She was born March 22, 1924 to parents LeRoy D. and Beatrice (Palmer) Zachman. In 1954 she married Robert. W. Shepard . Bob died in October of 1973.
Maureen attended Marion City and Cardington schools, and graduated from Pleasant H.S. in 1941. She graduated magna cum laude from Heidelberg College in 1945 with majors in two of her passionate quests: Literature and History.
For the next 35 years she journeyed through classrooms sharing her heart and instilling a love for learning to whatever group sat in front of her. She pursued the classics, poetry, all kinds of literature, history and, government. For several years she accompanied River Valley H.S students traveling to Europe as a study for English class. Maureen even taught Latin and Spanish as was needed at Claridon HS ; she was the consummate teacher.
After retiring from River Valley H.S she spent 2 years enjoying missionary work, teaching English in Hefei China. Maureen continued to travel to many countries including beloved Israel, Germany, Greece and numerous historical or far flung areas that intrigued her.
At an early age while attending the family church, Calvary EUB, Maureen asked Jesus into her heart. Into her last days she pursued the study of the Scriptures and daily reading of the Bible with the same evenness that she spent her life; she lived and shared the Gospel with all she met. Maureen’s life was a testimony to the Lord. Thus she leaves the richest of legacies to her children and families.
Maureen Shepard is survived by her loving children Paula ( Orma “Doc”) Moore / Ft. Lauderdale, Priscilla ( Larry ) Wilcox/ Marion & Jensen Beach, Victoria Bell/ Prospect, Roberta (Jack) Burggraf/Marion, Robert W. “Bill” ( Linda) Shepard/Waldo; stepchildren Patricia ( Bill dec’d) Black, and Harry (Karen) Shepard of Marion.
Left to cherish “grandma’s” memory are 13 grandchildren 3 step grandchildren, and many great grandchildren, plus a host of precious nieces, nephews, extended families, friends of many nationalities, Amish folk, and anyone who found their way to Mom’s loving patient ways and big heart and hospitable farmhouse.
In addition to parents and husband Robert Shepard, Maureen was preceded in death by former husbands, W. Luna and E. Armendinger and 2 siblings, LeRoy “Dan” Zachman and Alicia Zachman. Her dear sister Martha ( Milton dec’d) Walker survives in Marion.
Visitation will be held at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St., Marion on Wed. September 30th 4 pm-7pm. Funeral Services will start at 10:00 am on October 1st at (former Calvary EUB Church) now Gethsemane Lutheran at 219 E. Church St. , Marion. Pastor Steve Dennis of St. Paul Cardington will provide the reading of the Word. Burial will follow in Marion Cemetery.
The family offers special acknowledgments to Heartland Hospice, Joyce’s Angels, and Primrose – the many loving friends who have cared for Mom on her last journey on earth.
Donations and memorials may be offered to Maureen’s home church St. Paul Lutheran of Cardington and Bethel Pro-Life Ministries, Marion.
Snyder Funeral Homes of Marion are honored to have been chosen to serve Maureen’s family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.
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