SHIRLEY JOAN (SWORD) CLAPPER

SHIRLEY JOAN (SWORD) CLAPPER was born in Milledgeville, IL on April 17, 1928 to the late Dr. Howard and Mary Sword. She flew to Heaven on Tuesday, February 11, 2020. She was the youngest of four, with two sisters, Virginia Ulfedt and Mary Sword, and a brother Robert Sword. Her childhood home included a 60 acre grove of apples, with a creek, and the family also owned a farm. For a number of years, their home in Milledgeville doubled as a country hospital with her physician father, and her mother was a nurse. 

Upon graduating high school, Shirley attended Ashland University to major in music. She met Paul Clapper there during her sophomore year and he ultimately proposed to Shirley. After they married, they moved to Louisville.

The mother of six, Shirley learned very early how to be an expert at balancing the multiple roles of housewife, mother, care giver, advertising sales person, and correspondent. Shirley wrote a column in the Herald titled ‘Sharing with Shirley’ recalling her childhood in the farm country of Illinois.

Shirley was a bright spirit with positive outlook on life. She loved flowers, birds, anything in nature. She also loved to read, especially her Bible, listen to good music - especially old gospel songs, and play euchre. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, parents, her sisters and brother. She is survived by her sons, Ray (Sophi) Clapper and Frank (Jackie Clapper), daughters Elaine Wages, Paula (John) Fether, Shari (Don) Pachinger, and Mary (Ralph) Lunsford; grandchildren, Russell, Aaron, Ryan (Jordana) Kerstetter, Sarah (Sheldon) Shobe, Stephen (Hannah) Fether, Joseph Fether, Elizabeth Pachinger, Jennifer (Alice Seifker) Buchanan, Ray Buchanan, Ross (Katie) Lunsford, Heather (Preston) Guehring; great-grandchildren Kenzie and Kyler Kerstetter, Isabelle Guehring; and many nieces and nephews. 

Shirley followed the Bible as a guide on her relationships with others. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. She was a member of the Chapel in Marlboro and sang in the choir. 

The family would like to thank Crossroads Hospice and Altercare of Louisville for their care following Shirley’s stroke over two years ago.  Celebration of Life Open House will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2020, 2-4 pm at the Chapel in Marlboro, 8700 Edison St., Louisville, OH 44641. For those wishing to support Shirley’s passion for service to the Lord, memorial donations may be made to the Chapel in Marlboro, PO Box 169, Louisville, OH 44641.

Stier-Israel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.