Cecelia Shepard

Shepard, Cecelia (Shrimplin) Portage, MI Passed away at home with her family by her side on October 11, 2015. What a life this strong woman lived. She was born May 6, 1922, in St. Joseph, Missouri to LaVern James McMahan and Alice Dorothy Ashford McMahan and moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan at the age of four. She attended Kalamazoo Central High School and moved to Portage schools completing her senior year . She attended Western Michigan University where she majored in Music. Her love of music and dance was manifested in her vocal performance on local radio and dancing at various events in Kalamazoo. She was a former member of Stockbridge Methodist Church where she played the piano and taught Sunday School. Cecelia and Dean Franklin Shrimplin were married on Valentine's Day in 1942. They were a couple who shared a love of music and many happy memories including Cecelia playing the piano, Dean on the saxophone and family and friends singing. Dean preceded her in death May 21, 1959. In 1964, she married Milbourne (Bud) Shepard with whom she shared a pleasure of boating and travel. Cecelia and Bud enjoyed many winters in the Florida Keys with special friends. She was a member of Pathfinder Church in Portage and the Portage Senior Center. Cecelia had tremendous love for her children, step-daughter, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many dear nieces and nephews. She is survived by her three children, Dale (Dixon ) Grimm Bieri, Susan (Terry) Woodhams and Robert (Judith) Shrimplin; Step-daughter, Patricia (Larry) Santek; eight grandchildren, Shelly (Michael) Rabinowitz, Autumn (Mark) Reinking, Robert Grimm, Stephanie(Dean) Swenson, Sarah Shrimplin (Matthew) Saiia, Brant (Lindsay) Shrimplin, Brook (John) Smith and Guy (Abby) Santek; great-grandchildren Dylan, Austin and Tanner Rabinowitz, Zachary, Taylor and Kendall Swenson, Claire Reinking, Lauren and Natalie Shrimplin Saiia, Avery and Beckett Shrimplin, Ellie, Sydnie and Alex Smith; nieces, Deborah (Jay) Shelley, Carol Kogler, Marilyn Cheney and nephews, Michael (Suzy) Stewart and Danny (Carolyn) Fewless; cousin, Virginia White Cook. She was preceded in death by her husband, Milbourne Shepard; sister, Dorothy Fewless; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Shrimp) Stewart; nephews, Richard Cheney and Mark Stewart and nieces, Sunday Fewless Dickman and Beverly Burson. The family would like to extend a special thank you to our wonderful, supportive caregivers "Team Cecelia": Beverly, Myrna, Shelly, Mindy and Judy. Friends may visit with the family from 10 11 a.m. on Monday, October 19th at Pathfinder Church, 8740 S. Westnedge, Portage, MI 49002. The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. Pastor Ron Hanson will officiate with interment in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Pathfinder Church or a charity of the donor's choice . Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, www.langelands.com.