Gail Hurst

Gail Keesling Hurst died May 13, in Torrance, California at the age of 82. She was born to Maude and Alvin Keesling in Crocker, Porter County, IN, and lived there, in Liberty Center Township, and in Valparaiso before graduating from Valparaiso High School. Her maternal grandfather, Fred LaHayne platted the town of LaHayne in 1892, which became Crocker, now an incorporated area of Chesterton. The Hurst's raised their family at Wauhob Lake before moving to California in 1967. Gail was multi-talented and enjoyed writing poetry, painting, book collecting, and redecorating. In her teens, she sang at events and on the radio with a friend as the Two Blue Notes. After the children were grown, Gail studied to become a registered nurse. She worked at hospitals in the Los Angeles area and cared for her parents in her home for many years. Gail is survived by her daughters, Suzi Maltony of Calhoun, GA, Lori Northam of Sacramento, CA; her sons, Russell (Linda) Shinabarger of Kirkland, WA, Gary Shinabarger (Susan) of Santa Barbara, CA, George Grundell, Torrance, CA, Robert (Del) Hurst of Princeton, IN, Michael (Anita) Hurst of Grass Valley, CA; thirteen grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren; two sisters, Joyce Parker of Monroe, LA, and Lucille Linden of Pullman, WA; sister-in-law, Merry Benke of Portage, IN, also survives her. Two brothers, Keith Keesling and Lorne Benke preceded her in death. Cremation has occurred and celebration of her life will be held later this summer. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits.