Shirley A. Forney

Shirley A. (Hewitt) Forney, 85, passed away on December 23, 2021 in Fairbury.  Born April 24, 1936 to Howard and Anna Hewitt in Fairbury, NE.  She attended rural school, (3 years was taught by sister Belva).  She graduated from Endicott High School in 1953 and attended Peru State College for 2 yrs, receiving her teachers certificate.

After she graduated, she taught school in Daykin, K - 3, where she met Ray Forney.  She was united in marriage to Raymond Forney on June 5, 1960 in Endicott.  They moved to the farm north of Daykin in 1967.  She helped on the dairy farm until Ray retired.

As a teenager, she gave her life to Christ beside her brother Bill, at a Billy Graham Revival.  She was baptized as an adult at the Western Baptist Church.  She was a member of the United Methodist Church all her life, at Endicott, Western, Daykin and Fairbury churches.  She enjoyed serving the Lord by playing the piano/organ at services, since she was a teen.  She held many positions as a member of the United Methodist Women on the local, district, state and regional levels, over 20 years.   She especially enjoyed being involved in mission work either through financial contributions or providing her services. She also taught Sunday School and Bible Schools for many of those years.

She served as a 4-H leader for over 20 years and was a member and an officer of the Jefferson County Fairboard.  The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service presented her with a "Pat on the Back" award in 1983 for helping carry out the education programs with 4-H youth.   She touched so many lives through church, UMW, 4 -H, and teaching piano.   Her piano students would come  expecting to just learn how to play the piano and make music, but they also learned many life lessons .  Music was a love of hers shared with many.

She is survived by daughters, Janelle and husband, Steve Whitehead of Holmesville and Carrie and husband, Lawrence Haake of Plymouth;  brother Bill Hewitt and wife/sister -in - law Barbara;  Sister - in - law Betty Gutzmer;  5 grandchildren Curtis Rickers, Wymore; Angie Blecha and husband Tim, Tecumseh;  Nitacia Haake, Lincoln, L.J. Haake, Omaha;  and Tyler Haake, Lincoln;  4 great grandchildren Orion and Cedric Haake, Emma Lyn and Eloise Blecha. and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by husband Ray, daughter Raeshelle and son-in-law Harlan Rickers, sisters Belva Hewitt; Elvera  and brother - in - law Doyle Rogers;  Parents Howard and Anna Hewitt, Parents - in - law Rollin and Katherine Forney, sister - in - law Mary Root and brother - in - law Lee; Carol Jordening and brother -  in - law Marvin Gutzmer.

Memorial Service will be held Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 10:30 at the United Methodist Church in Fairbury.  Memorial is preferred in leu of flowers, to either the United Methodist Church or International Training Partners (missionary training conducted by nephew and niece, Vic and Gwen Flaming.) Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. www.gerdesmeyerfh.com