Wallis Anne Shirey

A great treasure that was lost here on earth has been discovered in Heaven. Wallis Anne Glodich Shirey of Marianne Estates, in Shippenville, Pennsylvania went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at 2:16 AM with her husband and son by her side. She had been fighting against cancer for over 6 years. Wallis Anne was born in Herrin, Illinois on March 23, 1942, the daughter of William V. Glodich and Mildred M. Griffin. Her step father was William Kenneth Davis and her step mother was Minnie (Castrale) Glodich. Her grandparents were Walter Cleveland Bryant and Bessie Mae Bryant of Herrin, Illinois and Samuel Glodich and Violet “Wally” Glodich of West Frankfort, Illinois, all of whom are deceased. A son, John Bryant Ditto, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband Dr. George S. Shirey and son GeorDann C. Shirey. In addition, she is survived by five brothers – William “Bill” Glodich, Mark Glodich, Michael Glodich and his wife Marla Glodich, Richard Glodich and his wife Susan Glodich, Timothy Glodich and his wife Julie Glodich, and two sisters – Barbara Ann Glodich, and Michelle Scales and her husband Kenneth Scales, all of West Frankfort, Illinois. Also, she has eight special nieces and nephews who survive – Erin, Andrea, Kaitlyn, Aleah, and Jordan Glodich, and Gina Leigh Shirey, JoAnna Jane Halenda, and Jonathan Shirey.Wallis Anne Shirey is survived by two brothers-in-law, Dr. Donald Shirey and his wife Virginia Shirey, and Richard Shirey, and two special cousins Cindy Turner and Nancy Gouge. During her early years while attending Milligan College, a Christian liberal arts school, in eastern Tennessee. She worked part-time for Dr. Conrad, an optometrist, Kay’s Clothing Store, and Glodich Motors. In addition, Wallis Anne, who was a gifted pianist and organist, was part of a gospel team which played music for several televised gospel programs in the south. After graduating from Milligan College, she worked as a professional field advisor for the Shag Bark Girl Scout Council of southern Illinois. Later, Wallis Anne began a teaching career with the Herrin Illinois Unit 4 school district. At the same time she took graduate courses at Southern Illinois University where she obtained a K-9 teaching certification. In 1975, she took a tour of the Holy Lands sponsored by Dr. Jerry Falwell and the Old Time Gospel Hour, now Liberty University. During the trip, while in Jerusalem, Israel, she met Dr. George Shirey who was also on the tour. A friendship turned in to a courtship and that led to a wonderful marriage in 1976 that became a blessed union for over 37 years. Wallis Anne gave up her teaching career in Illinois to move to Pennsylvania where her husband, Dr. George Shirey, was a professor at Clarion University in the Earth Science department. Having keen business acumen, Wallis Anne withdrew her accumulated teacher retirement money from Illinois and invested it all in real estate – a rental property for college students. As the “CEO” of the venture, she continued to expand the business over the next 30 years to multiple properties. Wallis Anne was also known as a great communicator who rivaled Bill Clinton. Within five minutes of meeting a stranger, she had often made a true friend. Anyone who first met her never forgot her, even if it were years before they saw her again. At various times she was active in a number of community affairs. She came out of teaching retirement to teach music for one year at the Alpha Assembly of God day school in Clarion. Later she taught music for two years at Immaculate Conception School in Clarion. For many years she was the secretary of the adult governing board of Koinonia, a Christian Fellowship organization on the campus of Clarion University. She also served on the local Red Cross Board for a period of time. In addition, she served as the church organist for the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Clarion for a number of years. Not to waste her talents, she coached Clarion County YMCA boys’ soccer teams for several years, including a Knox team that went undefeated and finished best in the league. At her request, there will be no local visitation or service. A private family service and interment will be held in Illinois at a later date. On behalf of Wallis Anne, her family wants to express their heartfelt appreciation to the Clarion Cancer Center and Clarion-Forest Visiting Nurses for their professional, loving, compassionate care that was rendered over the years. Memorials may be made to either of the above organizations in her name or the charity of one’s choice.

Wallis Anne Shirey

March 23, 1942 - May 17, 2014