Shirley Jane Spangle
June 16, 1936 — September 12, 2024
Shirley Jane Spangle 88, passed away peacefully at BridgePointe Health Campus on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2024.
Shirley was born in Bicknell on June 16, 1936, to Leonard and Rose (Rice) Thompson. Although she was named Shirley, her friends knew her by her middle name, Jane. She explained that she started using Jane when she went to school, because it was easier to spell. In later life, she went back to Shirley.
Shirley graduated from Bicknell High School in 1954 and then went to work at the Diana Shop, a women's clothing store on Main Street in Vincennes. She married Richard Spangle in 1957, and became a farm wife at rural Edwardsport, a life totally foreign to her, but one she readily adapted to. They shared a life together for more than 50 years, until Richard's passing in February 2014.
Shirley was known for her love of crafts. Until her final years, she was always working on some type of craft project. Family and friends have been gifted with many of her creations, now special keepsakes. For many years, at Christmastime, she enjoyed making all kinds of cookies and candy and assembling plates for friends and neighbors.
Shirley loved to read, especially Christian fiction. She always said that she couldn't imagine not having a book to read. After moving to Vincennes, she became a regular patron of the Knox County Public Library. A special moment at the library was meeting author Beverly Lewis in 2018.
She was a member of Salem United Church of Christ in Westphalia for more than 60 years.
Besides her husband, Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Rosemary Birch, and a brother, Wilbur (Bud) Thompson.
Survivors include two sons, Steve, of Washington; and Brian, of Vincennes; brother and sister-in-law Farrell and Mariann (Spangle) Hulen; and nephew Kevin Birch.
Special thanks to the kind and knowledgeable staff at BridgePointe Health Campus Assisted Living, who helped care for Shirley over the past two and a half years. Also, to Heart-to-Heart Hospice for their care of Shirley in the final weeks of her life.
Those who came to know Shirley at BridgePointe, enjoyed her special sense of humor. She will be greatly missed by all.
Shirley will be laid to rest in Salem UCC Cemetery, with private graveside services.
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