Shirley Shaw

Shirley Rose Keplinger Deem Shaw, 85, of Columbia City, Indiana, passed away on April 11, 2023,  at Kingston Care Center Fort Wayne. The daughter of the late Charles and Nellie (Couch) Keplinger, Shirley was born in 1938, in Huntington County, Indiana.

She graduated from Huntington Township High School.  Her first job after graduation was with Model Engineering in Huntington.  She worked there until December 1957.  She worked from July 1957 through December 1962 at the Public Service Company in Huntington.  She married her first husband, Lowell Deem, in October 1960 and they made their home in Columbia City.  They divorced in 1979.  At that time Shirley obtained employment with Bond Flex Rubber Company in Columbia City. She met James “Jim” Shaw and they married in June 1981. They have been married for over 41 years.  Shirley worked for Bond Flex Rubber Company until it closed its doors in 2001.  She retired but continued to find plenty of things to do.  She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.  She also worked at Chain O’Lakes State Park boat rental office for 4 seasons.

She obtained a part-time job at Walmart where she was employed through 2012 when health issues prevented her from continuing her employment.  Shirley was a good wife and an amazing mother and grandmother.  She was a woman of incredible inner strength and demonstrated her ability to endure and persevere until her very last breath.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Jim Shaw of Fort Wayne; daughter, Beth (Brad) Bowditch of Fort Wayne; her son, Darrin Deem of Auburn; four grandchildren, Nick (Samantha “Sam”) Ireland of Fort Wayne, Corinne Bowditch of Auburn Hills MI, Justine Bowditch of Indianapolis, and Duncan Bowditch of Fort Wayne. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Nellie Keplinger; brothers, Charles Keplinger, Jr. and Earl Thomas; and sisters, Ruth G. “Gerry” Eberly, Donna J. Flora, and Janice Colleen Keplinger.

Visitation will be 2 to 4 pm Friday, April 14, 2023 at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City. Funeral services will be 11 am Saturday at the funeral home with visitation one hour prior. Shirley's son-in-law, Brad Bowditch will be officiating. A private burial will take place at Covington Memorial Gardens. Memorial donations may be given in memory to American Cancer Association or American Heart Association. Visit www.DeMoneyGrimes.com to send Shirley's family online condolences or sign the online guest book.