TERRE HAUTE
Shirley Vermillion Hendricks, 81, of Terre Haute, passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017, at 5:08 p.m. in Harrison Crossing Health Campus. She was born near West Terre Haute on July 1, 1936 to Alvin and Florence Lucas Vermillion.
She and Frederick Dean Hendricks were married for 55 years before his death in 2011. She was also preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara Pruitt (Bill) of Georgia; baby sister, Mary Ellen; brother, Robert Joseph (Joan) of West Terre Haute; brother, James Richard of St. Mary of the Woods; and son-in-law, Terry Taylor of Edinburgh.
Shirley is survived by daughters, Stephanie Taylor of Edinburgh and Barbara Meilinger and husband Paul of Colorado; grandchildren, Ashton and Michael Meilinger, also of Colorado; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Dale and Carla Hendricks; sister-in-law, Georgianna Vermillion; and several beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Shirley was a member of the Bethany United Church of Christ, member of the 1954 class of Concannon High School, life member and past Queen of Job’s Daughter’s, 60-year member and past Matron of West Terre Haute Eastern Star, past Deputy and past President of District Eight Order of Eastern Star, past Queen of Badoura Temple, Daughters of Nile and member of Pageantry Unit, member of Zorah Shrine Honored Ladies, member of Daughters of America Revolution, and belonged to Red Hat Minnie Pearl’s Girls.
When Shirley and Fred lived in their country home, they had fruit trees, vegetable gardens, flower gardens, herb gardens, and a fish pond. Shirley raised several varieties of herbs and often gave talks on “Herbs of the Bible.” She was an active volunteer for several organizations.
Funeral services for Shirley will be Saturday, at 1:30 p.m. at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home with Rev. Norris A. Keirn officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. and prior to service Saturday. Eastern Star Chapter #428 will conduct a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions may be made to St. Louis Shriners Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis MO 63110, with envelopes available at the funeral home.
