Shirley Nelson Schwartz

Oct. 12, 1926 - Sept. 29, 2011
MISHAWAKA - Shirley Nelson (Mrs. Donald H.) Schwartz, of Mishawaka, IN, passed away Thursday, September 29, 2011 after an extended illness. She was born on October 12, 1926 in South Bend, IN to George Nelson and Neva Hottel Nelson. Shirley had a great love of music and formed her own dance band during her high school years. She graduated from Ball State Teachers College with a degree in music. In 1947, she married Donald Schwartz. During their early married years they moved to Bloomington, IN, where Don attended IU Dental School and Shirley kept busy raising the first three of their five daughters and selling real estate. They returned to Mishawaka, where Don practiced dentistry for 35 years, a fact of which she was very proud. She taught school for a period, and also worked as a real estate broker for Coldwell Banker during the 1970's. She had many hobbies, including photography and genealogy, and has left a legacy of information for her family. She also enjoyed all kinds of card games, especially bridge, and played with the Mishawaka Duplicate Bridge Club, earning points towards a Life Master. She was an avid sailor, and she and Don journeyed to the Bahamas multiple times for sailing trips with good friends, all of which she enjoyed immensely. She was a member of the former First Christian Church, South Bend, IN, and Central Christian Church, Bradenton, FL, as well as Tri Kappa. She will be remembered as a smart, feisty lady who loved her family and friends and enjoyed life to the fullest. She is survived by her husband, Donald, daughters, and sons-in-law: Carolyn Van Ooteghem (Steve), Tampa, FL, Constance Siebenthal (Reed), Muncie, IN, Deborah Kirk (Tom), Goshen, IN, Kimberlee Blair (John), Covington, OH, and son-in-law Thomas Hemeyer (Julia). Also surviving are grandchildren, Matt Hemeyer, David Hemeyer, and Julie Turner (Brian), Stephen G. Van Ooteghem, Patrick Van Ooteghem, and Trent Van Ooteghem, Michael Thompson, Katie Blair, Jacob Blair; and a niece, Judy Hardy (Ed). She was preceded in death in 1991 by their eldest daughter, Kathleen Hemeyer. A visitation will be held at Bubbs Mortuary in Mishawaka on Sunday, October 2 from 3:00 - 4:00 PM, with a memorial service at 4:00. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's.