Shirley Ann Toole

She was born August 20, 1935 in Kidron, Ohio to Benjamin and Irene (Sommer) Amstutz.

Shirley was a 1957 graduate of Goshen College.  She taught school in Mt. Eaton, Ohio, Cleveland Heights, Ohio and eventually in Chicago, Illinois.  While serving in Chicago with M.V.S., Mennonite Voluntary Service, she met her husband, Edwin Toole.  They were married Aug. 19, 1961 at Kidron Mennonite Church, Kidron, Ohio.

While raising her family she did some tutoring and schooled children in their homes while they were unable to attend school in Elmhust, Illionis.  In 1987 she began working for the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, and remained there until retirement.

Shirley enjoyed traveling abroad and went to Europe with an M.C.C. work group, and again with a Mennonite World Conference tour group.  She also traveled to Central America, Mexico, and Canada, and enjoyed traveling to many states with her husband.

Upon retirement they moved to Kidron, Ohio and then to Goshen to be near family.  She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Edwin, of Goshen; two sons, Kendall (Barb) Toole of Goshen and Harley (Roselin) Toole of Bourbonnais, Illinois; five grandchildren, Hannah, Kirsten, Benjamin, Sarah, and Catherine Toole; a step-grandson, Andrew Branum; two sisters, Doris North of Harrisonburg, Virginia and Gloria (Curt) Nussbaum of Kidron, Ohio; and a brother, Kenneth (Vonnie) Amstutz of Kidron, Ohio.

Shirley was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved having her children and grandchildren be a part of her life.  She chose to live a life of service by volunteering in each community where she lived; in Elmhurst, Illinois she was an active member of Lombard Mennonite Church; in Kidron,Ohio she was a member of Kidron Mennonite Church and volunteered at World Crafts, the Heritage Center and the M.C.C. store; and in Goshen she joined the PHALO book club, volunteered at Greencroft, played with the New Horizon Orchestra, and was an active member of Waterford Mennonite Church.

Visitation will be Monday, Oct. 23, 2017 beginning at 2 p.m. prior to the 4 p.m. memorial service at Waterford Mennonite Church, 65975 State Road 15, Goshen. Pastor Neil Amstutz will officiate.

According to her wishes, cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory, Goshen with burial at Kidron Mennonite Church Cemetery, Kidron, Ohio, at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the church or Mennonite Disaster Service.