Shirley Jeannine Petro
Shirley Jeannine Petro, 83 years, of Warsaw, Ind., went to heaven on Monday Sept. 17, 2012.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1929, in Fort Wayne, Ind., to Rosco and Yunice Henricks. She grew up in Kokomo, Ind. Following High School graduation Shirley was an executive secretary at Chrysler Corporation in Kokomo.
Shirley and her family moved to Bettendorf, Iowa for a number of years before moving back to Kokomo and then moved to Brea, California for a few years before moving to Warsaw in 1988. Along with her husband, E.J., they started Petro Reporting Service and operated the court reporting business in Warsaw until the office was moved to Fort Wayne under the management of their son, Tim Petro. Petro Reporting continues in business still covering the Warsaw area from its home office in Fort Wayne.
Shirley and E.J. were married in Kokomo on Sept. 18, 1948. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary before E.J. went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 10, 1999. She continued to reside in Warsaw until she joined her husband in Glory. Shirley had the delight of celebrating her birthday with family around her less than one week before she went to Heaven.
Shirley loved to play Bridge and was actively involved with her Bridge buddies until she encountered declining health and strength in recent years. Shirley was personable, quick to laugh, and witty.
She will be lovingly remembered by her daughter: Pam Refior (Paul “Rafe”) Warsaw; and her son: Tim (Sarah) Petro, Fort Wayne; four grandchildren: Nikki (Jonathan) Lambeth, LaFayette, Ind.; Laura (Brian) White, Noblesville, Ind.; Paul (Jen) Petro, Fishers, Ind.; and Hannah Petro, Chicago, Ill.; and 11 great-grandchildren: Luke Lambeth, David Lambeth, Stephen Lambeth, Karis White, Jocelyn White, Samuel White, Nathan White, Molly Jeannine White, James Petro, Samuel Petro and Nina Petro; a sister-in-law: Carolyn (George) Howell, Greentown, Ind.; and her brother: Maurice (Janet) Henricks, Kokomo, Ind.
At Shirley’s request there will not be a viewing or visitation time. There will be a family burial sevice at Greentown Cemetery, Greentown. The memorial service to celebrate Shirley’s life and to honor the Lord will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Refior home, 347 N. Buffalo St., Warsaw.
Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw, is handling the arrangements.