James "Jim" E. Shenshew, age 85, of Aurora, passed away on Sunday evening December 12, 2004 at Countryside Care Center where he had recently made his home. He had battled with Alzheimer's for the past seven years and had until recently been cared for at his home by his devoted wife. The toils of his earthly life are now over and he is at rest with his Lord and Savior.
    He was born November 18, 1919, the son of Ed and Marie (Tierney) Shenshew in Tiden, NB.
    Jim was born the son of a farmer and helped his neighbors with their chores at an early age. As he grew older, every fall he picked corn by hand and could pick 100 bushels a day. He loved to hunt and brought home many wild game for hi families table. Although Jim never attained a high school education but was well learned in all areas of his life and never came in contact with anything he couldn't do.
    Jim enlisted in the United States Army on November 9, 1942 and served overseas in the South Pacific in the Medical Corp. He continued to serve his country stateside and prior to his discharge, a chance encounter at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, IN brought Jim a love and life companion in Arbutus Fern Crow from Petersburg, IN., Once discharged, the two were married on August 30, 1946 in Chandler, IN. They began their new together on a dairy farm in Chandler and in 1951, they moved to Illinois where Jim continued to work on area dairy and beef farms in Kane County. In 1973 Jim left his fields and herds behind and moved to Johnson's Mound Forest Preserve where he worked as a Park Ranger fro fourteen years. He retired in 1987 and moved to Lee, IL, where he spent the next twelve years living happily with his wife. In 1999, he began his battle with Alzheimer's and they knew it was time to bring the family together so they moved in with their daughter, Susan Herren in Aurora, IL.
    Jim always loved the outdoors and worked outside as long as he was able. One of his joys of life was the time he spent talking and playing with not only his own children and grandchildren, but with all the children that he met along his life's journey. He was an avid gardner and always shared his bountiful harvest with friends and family. He was a faithful member of his church when his job permitted and later in life when his health had declined, he worshiped in his home and in his heart. He was a man whose heart cared for many, though none more than for his beloved family who will miss him greatly.
    He now leaves his loving wife, Arbutus; one son, Larry (Marylou) Shenshew of Henderson, NV; one daughter, Susan (Michael) Herren of Aurora; three grandchildren, Kelly (Richard) Alcantara and their children, Melissa and Christian of Townsend, MA, Larry Jr. (Dantia) of Ayers, MA and Shelby Herren of Aurora; three sisters, Glendoris Shoemaker of Orange Vale, CA, Kay (Gus) Papstein of Neligh, NE and Mary Lou Blair of Meadow Grove, NE; one brother, Vernon Shenshew of Lincoln, NE; many nieces and nephews and a great family of friends.
    He now joins his parents; three sisters, Betty Service, Margaret Denny and Ruth Deckert; two brothers, Ervin and Donald Shenshew; two half brothers, William Shenshew and Dallas Lee.
    Friends amy call from 4-8 p.m. in Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, December 16 at Conley Funeral Home. Rev. David Bateman, pastor of the Rollo Congregational Church, Rollo, IL and Rev. Keck Mowry, pastor of the Oswego Prairie United Methodist Church will officiate and interment will follow the service at Kaneville Cometary, Kaneville, IL. Memorials may be made to Oswego Prairie Christian Foundation and mailed in his name to P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119.
    FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SERVICE, TIMES, AND DIRECTIONS ,YOU CAN CALL 1-800-8-CONLEY OR LOOK ON THE INTERNET AR WWW.CONLEYCARE.COM.