Tommy Jo Shupe

1941 - 2018

Tommy Jo Shupe, 77, of South Whitley died peacefully at her home Saturday morning, Nov. 17, 2018. She had been battling cancer.
She was born July 9, 1941 in Seymour, Ind., daughter of the late Thomas V. and Helen S. (Blevins) Carter. Her formative years were spent in Seymour where she attended Shields High School. A new high school facility named Seymour High School was opened in 1959 and she was a member of the first graduating class. She continued her education at Purdue University.
From 1963 to 1966, she worked for Central Soya where she met her husband, Vernon E. Shupe. The couple was wed on Aug. 20, 1966. They made their first home in Salisbury, Mo. In 1968, they moved to Noblesville. In 1974, they moved to Gallipolis, OH and in 1979, South Whitley.
After the couple's children were grown, she became active with the South Whitley Library for 14 years where she focused on collection development. For eight years she worked for Congressman Mark Souder until she retired in 2004.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church of South Whitley, where she was a district lay leader for Wabash and then Northeast Indiana. She was a member of Delta Theta Tau and held all the offices except treasurer. She was a former board member of Passages, Inc., United Way of Whitley County and the South Whitley Food Bank. She was the former chair of the Whitley County Republican Party. For many years she was an instructor for American Red Cross Basic Aid Training at South Whitley Elementary School and local bloodmobile.
She had a life-long love of books and was an avid reader. She also enjoyed knitting, flower gardening and cooking.
She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Vernon; two children, Kristine (Robert) Sullivan, Charlotte, N.C. and Brian (Gina) Shupe, Westfield; six grandchildren, Dr. Colin (Brooke) Ridenour, Brooke (Dr. Chandler) Brodst, Cameron Ridenour, Natalie Shupe, Laura Shupe and Evan Shupe; and two great-grandchildren.
Additionally, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Patty C. Ives, Betty Abel and Mary Lynn Kasting.
A memorial service with be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at the United Methodist Church of South Whitley, 6685 W St Rd 14. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until the service Friday at the church. Entombment will be at a later date at Hamilton Memorial Park, Noblesville.
Memorials in Tommy's honor are to Passages, Inc., Columbia City or the South Whitley Food Bank.
The family thanks Fort Wayne Medical Oncology and Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home for their wonderful care of Tommy.
Arrangements were entrusted to Smith and Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.
Online condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.