Shirley Ruth (Neterer) McCreary, 95, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully of natural causes at HolistiCare group home on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at 4:43 a.m.

Born on May 24, 1930, in Edwardsburg, Michigan, Shirley was the beloved daughter of Franklin "Frank" and Mildred (Smith) Neterer, whose gentle guidance and sturdy values shaped her entire life. She carried with her the quiet strength of her father and the steady kindness of her mother, weaving both into the loving home she later built with her husband of 64 years, Richard A. "Dick" McCreary. Their marriage was a living testament to devotion—full of faith, partnership, hard work, and a fair share of playful teasing that kept love lively across the decades. Shirley is now reunited with Dick, and with their son Brian, whom she carried in her heart every day.

Left to honor her memory and carry forward her legacy are her children: John (Linda) McCreary of Marianna, Florida; Mark (Nell) McCreary of Elkhart; and Beth (Mark) Price, also of Elkhart. She is also survived by her sister, Frances (Neterer) Craig of Middlebury, who not only shared her childhood but a lifetime of stories, memories, and the sort of sisterly humor that only siblings understand.

Shirley's pride and joy extended even further into the next generations—grandchildren Brandon (Mackenzie), Sean, Erik (Anna), and Patrick (Monica) McCreary; Rachel (Clay) Gillespie; Matthew Brown; and Rebecca Price; as well as great-grandchildren Ezra, Ashlynn, Zelda, Austyn, and Luna McCreary; Nikolai Price; Ember Croy; and Saveada Nichols. She was blessed with a large, lively, and loving family, along with a whole joyful crowd of nieces, nephews, extended family members, and good friends who adored her warmth, her creativity, and her wonderfully down-to-earth sense of humor.

Services for Shirley will begin with an evening of visitation and fellowship at Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, from 4–7 p.m. On Thursday, December 18, 2025, services will continue at Northside Baptist Church, 53198 CR 9 in Elkhart, where friends may call beginning at 10 a.m. The funeral service will begin at 11 a.m., led by Pastor Carl Henry. Shirley will be laid to rest at Frame Cemetery in Goshen, reunited with the loved ones who went before her.

A founding and devoted member of Northside Baptist Church, Shirley's faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She didn't just attend church—she lived its message daily, encouraging others with kindness, steadfastness, and an eager willingness to help wherever she could.

Shirley spent nearly 30 years delivering the mail as a rural carrier for the United States Postal Service—rain, shine, snow, and the occasional overly territorial farm dog. She approached the job the same way she approached life: reliably, cheerfully, and with a genuine love for the people she served. After retiring from the postal service, she took delight in another role at "The Garden Shop," a local family-owned greenhouse where her green thumb and warm conversation brought comfort and friendship to customers.

Creative to her core, Shirley was an accomplished seamstress and a talented crafter who could turn a scrap of fabric or a handful of cardstock into something beautiful. Her handmade greeting cards weren't just cards—they were small gifts of her heart, lovingly made to brighten someone's day. She had a knack for adding just the right sparkle or ribbon, and if a bit of glitter ended up on the kitchen floor for weeks afterward, well, that's just part of the charm she left behind.

She loved gardening, camping with family and friends, and spending long, sun-warmed days at the family cottage on Birch Lake. Those summers were filled with laughter, lake breezes, and the wonderful chaos of grandchildren running in and out of the cabin. Evening hours often meant a spirited game of dominoes, where Shirley's competitive streak peeked out just often enough to keep everyone smiling.

Shirley lived a life rich in love, faith, family, and simple joys. She had an extraordinary gift for making others feel seen and valued. Her hands created beauty, her home welcomed all, and her heart held space for everyone she loved.

Her life was a beautiful example of grace and devotion, and her memory will continue to bloom in the hearts of those who knew her. Though she has left this earthly home, the love she planted will keep growing for generations.