Mary Lou Sheldon, 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 5, 2022 in Nixa, MO.
She was born October 3, 1931 in Prospect, Pennsylvania to the late Harry and Dorothy (Bortmas) Bloom.
Mary Lou graduated nursing school (Butler Memorial Hospital) in 1953 and remained a conscientious lifelong Registered Nurse. She married a “handsome young red-haired Midshipman” (Bob Sheldon) with whom she lived her dream of raising a family of five children. She had the opportunity to experience many beautiful parts of the United States as part of a military family. She also enjoyed touring the country with her late-in-life partner (Bob McDonald). In her final year, she loved sharing stories about her life’s adventures making new fast-friends of most everyone she met. She played cello in high-school orchestra, earning her Music Letter and enjoyed playing piano throughout most of her life.
Mary Lou is survived by her five children: LCDR Robert K. (Patty) Sheldon, USN (Ret.) of Pensacola, FL; Kevin J. (Carrie) Sheldon of Jasper, GA; Rory M. Sheldon of Beaverton, OR; Phillip Lance (Veronica) Sheldon of Nixa, MO; and Marlinde “Lindy” Slaton of Parker, CO.
She was preceded in passing by her companion of fifteen years, Robert McDonald; her ex-husband and father of her children, Robert E. Sheldon; her older sister, Marcia Walls; her younger sister Harriet Amsler; her brother-in-law, Wayne Walls; her granddaughter Ivy Irena Sheldon; and her parents.
Mary Lou leaves seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to cherish her memory. Graveside memorial services are being provided by Thompson-Miller Funeral Home of Butler at Greenlawn Burial Estates Mausoleum at 1pm, Thursday 16 June 2022.