Louise Mary Shearer, age 96 of Vincennes, IN and formerly of St. Francisville, IL, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Aperion Care- Vincennes.
Louise Mary Shearer, age 96 of Vincennes, IN and formerly of St. Francisville, IL, passed away surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Aperion Care- Vincennes. She was born on February 19, 1929 in Richland County to Stanley Otis and Mary Lydia (Fritschle) Chaplin.
Louise was blessed to have two loves in her lifetime. She first married Thomas Franklin Shearer. Together they raised their five children and lived a beautiful life together until his passing in October of 1998. She later married John D. McKelfresh, and he preceded her in death in February of 2012.
Louise graduated from Olney Township High School in 1946. She was a member of the First Christian Church of St. Francisville, the American Legion Auxiliary, St. Francisville Women’s Club, the Community Improvement Corporation until she was 90 years old. She was affectionately known as the “Bridge Lady” of St. Francisville and was honorably featured in the “Ladies of Lawrence” book.
She was a woman of many hats. She was a homemaker, worked at Golden Rule, and operated many businesses including City Café, Shearer Hardware, a laundromat, and S&S Mobile Homes in St. Francisville.
Relatives left to continue remembering Louise’s legacy include: her five children- Steve Shearer and wife Beth of Princeton, IN; Greg Shearer and wife Elizabeth of St. Francisville, IL; Tony Shearer and Darlene Hershey of St. Francisville, IL; Tim Shearer and wife Teresa of Indianapolis, IN; and Carla Coomes and husband Robert of Vincennes, IN: 15 grandchildren: 39 great-grandchildren: and eight great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents- Stanley and Mary Chaplin: her two husbands- Thomas Franklin Shearer and John David McKelfresh: four siblings- Otis Chaplin, Myrl Chaplin, Glen Chaplin, and Esther Peck: and one grandson- Tommy Shearer.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the First Christian Church of St. Francisville from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow immediately at 1:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Mt. Pleasant (Claremont) Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made in Louise’s memory to the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) directly or through the funeral home. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.
