Shirley Blickensderfer's Obituary
Shirley Ann (Ooley) Blickensderfer passed away May 3, 2026, at Imboden Creek Senior Living and Rehabilitation Center in Decatur, Illinois.
Shirley Ann was born at home December 10, 1935, in Indianapolis, IN, and was baptized at Mayer Chapel in the Presbyterian faith. She joined the Methodist Church and sang in the church choir when she began attending Shortridge High School. Shirley Ann graduated from Shortridge in 1954 and entered Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and graduated in 1958. She was active in Nurses’ Christian Fellowship and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship where she grew to love Bible study. Shirley Ann converted to Catholicism in 1959 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral.
Shirley Ann was a perpetual student nearly all her adult life, starting with classes at Indiana University Extension and later at the IU campus of Bloomington, IN, where she met Al Blickensderfer in the Fall of 1960. They were married two years later in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral on August 18, 1962.
Following their marriage, they moved to Buffalo, NY, had a family of four children, and were still active in Christian Family Movement. The family later moved to Elkhart, IN, and Boardman, OH before finally settling in Decatur. Once in Decatur, Shirley Ann immediately began singing in the choir at St. Patrick Church and teaching CCD. Later she wrote a history of St. Patrick Church and became a Reader and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. She worked at St. Mary’s Hospital in various positions and Visiting Nurses Association. During this time, she studied for a BS in Health Arts from the University of St. Francis, which she received in 1984. She continued studies at Richland Community College and Millikin University toward School Nurse Certification, which she obtained in the late 1980s. As a school nurse, she found her “niche” in Special Education School Nursing and felt this was her “calling” to serve God and fulfill her lifelong desire to be a missionary. She also worked for a short time in Schiller Park, IL, and enjoyed the students, faculty, and the hustle and bustle of life close to O’Hare Airport. Her work as a school nurse freed up summers for travel with Al to France, Spain, Germany, and Puerto Rico. When visiting Puerto Rico, she served as a Reader and enjoyed the many friendships she made in Bible Study Class at Stella Maris Church and San Agustin Parish Church.
Shirley Ann always enjoyed her life as a wife, mother and grandmother. She was forever grateful for their love, especially for her husband Al’s love. How many women could say that they received a rose every Friday!
She was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Al; older brothers Larry and Paul, sisters Peggy and Mary Lou, sister-in-law Cindy, and brother-in-law Dick. She is survived by her brother Steve; brothers-in-law Denny and John; her sister-in-law Barbara; her children, Chris (Leah), Kathryn (Dan), Jennifer (Guy), and Susan (David); grandson Harrison; granddaughters Kim and Lindsey; several great grandchildren; nephews John (Suzy), Mike (Michelle); nieces Becky (Jim), Stacey (Tim), and Michelle (Aaron), and many great-nephews and great-nieces.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Patrick Church by the Reverend Don Wolford at 2 p.m., Friday June 12th with Visitation at St. Patrick Church one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SS. James and Patrick Parish, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis, Elkhart General Hospital of Elkhart, IN, St. Mary’s Hospital of Decatur, IL, Richland Community College, or Millikin University.
Obituary written by Shirley's loving family.
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