Gertrude L. Shaw

Gertrude L. Shaw, 93, of Westville passed away at 7:08 a.m. Wednesday January 6, 2010 at Provena USMC Logan Campus. She was born on September 23, 1916 in Westville, IL the daughter of Frank and Opha P. (Sollars) Smith. She married Russell Shaw Sr. on February 2 in Danville, IL. He preceded her in death on September 26, 1990. Those who will miss her include: her son, Russell Shaw Jr. of St. Petersburg, FL; two daughters, Sonna (George) Delhaye of Westville and Darla Payne of Westville; seven grandchildren, Elizabeth M. (Bob) Freeman of Tampa, FL, Laurel (Doug) McKay of Indian Rocks, FL, James (Chris) Delhaye of Westville, Gary (Teresa) Delhaye of Westville, John (Shelly) Payne of Oakwood, Roberta (Shannon) Trosper of Danville, and Georgette (Charles) Sermersheim of Westville; her great grandchildren, Daniel (Lisa) Currier of Laurel, Montana, Lea M. Freeman of Tampa, FL, Elly, Maddy, and Joey Sermersheim of Westville, Erick Story of Westville, Amy Lester of Westville, Sarah Payne of Oakwood, and Tristan Trosper of Danville; and her sister, Ruby Faels of La Peer, MI. She was preceded in death by: her parents; two brothers, Andrew and Donald Smith; three sisters, Mildred McArdle, Dorothy Swisher, and Paulina Smith; one great granddaughter, Emily Jo; and one great grandson, Benjamin Trosper. Gertrude retired from McMillan School as an assistant cook after many years of service. She was also a homemaker and a farm wife. She was a member of the Vermilion Home Extension (4-H Program) and a member of the Womens Auxiliary Post 51 in Westville. She was a Paul Harris Fellow for the Rotary International Foundation. Gertrude was a member and supporter of the Trinity United Church of Christ. She loved helping people and she loved the community of Westville where she was very active. She enjoyed making Westville Ham Salad for the village employees, postal employees, and the library employees. She was awarded the American Legion Citizenship Award. Her and her husband spent a lifetime serving the community, their family, friends, and others. A celebration of Gertrudes life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday January 9, 2010 at Trinity United Church of Christ. Connie Bandy will officiate. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday January 8, 2009 at Sunset-Urbas Funeral Chapel in Westville. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Pauls Elementary Schools Program, the Westville Library, The Westville Depot Fund, or the Trinity United Church of Christ Memorial Fund.