Shirley Ann (Hanson) Shedd, 83, passed away Friday, November 1, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, MO.

Shirley was born in Waukegan, IL, on December 3, 1940, to Edward and Viola (Lemberg) Hanson.  She was the oldest of three children.  Shirley grew up in Racine, WI and graduated from Washington Park High School in 1958.

Shirley began attending Evangel College (later University) in Springfield, MO, in the Fall of 1958.  This was the fourth year that Evangel had been established as an Assemblies of God affiliated college.  While at Evangel, Shirley was actively involved in student activities including student body secretary and editor of the yearbook in 1960-61.

Shirley met her future husband Rev. Arthur Glenroy Shedd while partners in photography class at Evangel.  They both graduated from Evangel in 1962 with the same major (English Education) and minor (Journalism).  The year following graduation, Shirley taught English at Washington Park High School (her alma mater) in Racine, WI, while Glenroy completed his basic training as an Army reservist.  They were married on July 27, 1963, in Racine.

Glenroy and Shirley established their home in Springfield, MO and Shirley taught Journalism at Central High School from 1963-1969.  She also was the Adviser for both the yearbook and the weekly high school newspaper.

Shirley earned her Masters in English from Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) in 1976 and then served as a part-time assistant professor of English at Central Bible College in Springfield from 1976-1981.

When a position at Evangel opened in 1981, she joined the faculty as a full-time English and Journalism teacher. In 1987, she was appointed Chair of the Communication Department, a position she held until her retirement in 2006.  Under her leadership, Evangel’s campus newspaper, The Lance, was inducted into the “Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame” in 1998.

While on staff at Evangel, Shirley also served as the advisor for the local chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists for 25 years, serving as a national officer for several years.

In 1998 Shirley was awarded the E.M. and Estella Clark Teaching Award, the highest teaching award given to one individual annually at Evangel University.  The National Society of Collegiate Journalists honored her as the first recipient of the “Adviser of the Year” award in 2000, for her work with The Lance. In addition, she was inducted into the Missouri College Media Association “Adviser Hall of Fame” in 2007.

Even after “retiring,” Shirley continued to teach classes for Evangel’s degree completion program and ultimately became Evangel University’s Archivist.  In 2015, Shirley was honored as a recipient of Evangel’s Trees of Honor award in recognition of her legacy of service to the university.

Outside of teaching at Evangel, Shirley was active in the Evangel University Auxiliary (now Advocates) since 1966, serving as National Vice President (1974-77), National President (1977-1980), and Chapter President (1982-83). She was also an early member of the Alumni Board of Directors.  Shirley has attended every Evangel Homecoming since her graduation in 1962 and helped coordinate each of their class reunions since 1972.

Shirley was actively involved in Delta Kappa Gamma, the international honorary women teachers’ society, serving in several leadership roles for the local chapter.  She also participated on the Assemblies of God Credit Union (AGCU) Board of Directors and serving as secretary of the board and scholarship chairman.

Additionally, Shirley is well remembered for her many ministry roles at Central Assembly of God including Missionettes Coordinator from 1982-2002, Sunday School superintendent for the junior and primary programs, VBS coordinator, and senior adult ladies Sunday school teacher.  Shirley continued to participate in and lead various Bible Studies up until her passing, and she loved her pastors, leaders and friends at Evangel Temple Church.

Shirley and Glenroy loved to travel.  They visited all 50 states and more than 25 countries in Europe, South America, and the Caribbean.

Above all, Shirley was a devoted mother and grandmother and she was extremely proud of her children and grandchildren.

After sharing nearly 56 years of marriage, Shirley’s husband Glenroy went to be with the Lord in 2019.  Shirley is survived by her son Brad and wife Alyson (Chesapeake, VA) and their children Olivia Bisson (husband Adrien), Sophia, Stephen, Ava, Susanna, Laura, Juliana, and Brennan; son Tim (Lithia, FL), his children Christopher and Ana Clara, and their mother Valdinea Andrade (Sousa, Brasil); daughter Christy (Shedd) Wiebe and husband John (Aldrich, MO) and their children Elizabeth and Jack; brothers Ron Hanson and wife Polly (Fayetteville, AR) and Robert Hanson and wife Patty (Springfield, MO); sisters-in-law Pauline Shedd (Warsaw, IN) and Rhoda Palmer and husband Clifton (Warsaw, IN); multiple nieces and nephews, more than 50 first cousins, and countless valued friends.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 9 at 5-7 pm at Greenlawn Funeral Home East.  The memorial service will be held at Evangel Temple Church, 2020 E. Battlefield, Sunday, November 10 at 2:00 pm.  Interment will be at Robberson Prairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations to the Evangel University Communications Alumni Scholarship.  Please send donations to Evangel University, ATTN: Contributions, 1111 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, MO, 65802 and indicate Communications Alumni Scholarship in your memo.