Kim Michele Shealey's Obituary
Kim Banchy Shealey, 68, of Decatur, passed away December 16, 2022 at the Loft Rehabilitation Center of Decatur.
Kim was born in Decatur on May 16, 1954, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mike (Byrl) Banchy. Kim graduated from Lakeview High School and operated her own cleaning businss, “Heavenly Dust Busters.”
When Kim was a senior in high school, she was diagnosed with fourth-stage Hodgkins Disease of the lungs at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota in 1972. The head oncologist told Mom and Dad to take her on the best vacation they could and that they would have her for 6 months to a year. They started her immediately on her first dose of chemotherapy, which made her extremely sick. On her follow-up appointment with Decatur’s oncologist, Dr. John Locke, he told Mom that the cancer was gone—totally disappeared. God had other plans that day! Soon after, she accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. He’s the One that miraculously healed her from the cancer. From then on, her life exploded with hundreds and hundreds of opportunities to share the love of Christ with others. She had a soft heart for those dealing with cancer and other sickness as well as divorce, as the Lord had also healed her broken heart from one. She loved to sing for the Lord and was a part of House of Prayer’s praise group “Butterfly,” which later became “Love Notes.” In the 1980s, she became an “End Time Harvester” as she traveled with four others to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, ministering in music, skits, and mime.
Kim’s brush with sickness showed up again many times with three more types of cancer, each time holding onto her faith in her Savior, Lord, and Healer: Jesus. He healed her again and again and brought her through. Her outlook on it all was, “Well, God must have someone I need to share my testimony with while I’m in the hospital.” She also loved ministering in the prisons with Release Thru Jesus Prison Ministry for many years.
Kim was preceded in death by her parents Mike Banchy and Byrl (Bean) Banchy. She leaves behind her biggest fan, closest friend, and sister Tami Banchy.
Many thanks to Dr. Wade and his staff at Decatur’s Cancer Care Center; Dr. Costerisan at Crossings; Judy Gibbs and staff at Judy’s Wellness; Matt Groves and staff at Groves Chiropractic; DMH doctors, nurses, and care teams. Thank you for being God’s hands and feet while taking care of my sister Kim.
Much love and appreciation to extended family for prayer support, encouragement, and loving us through it all, and to our church family at Rez Life. God bless you for reaching out to us with love and support. Also, to our House of Prayer/Harvest Christian Center family: Thank you for all your prayers as well. We love you all.
Kim’s favorite cliché for the Lord: “You can’t have a testimony without going through a test, and you can’t have a message without going through a mess.”
Graceland Fairlawn Funeral Home is providing cremation services for Kim. A memorial visitation and service will be held from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday, April 23, at Resurrection Life Church.
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