Shirley I Umberger

Shirley Ione (Miles) Umberger passed away February 18, 2016 at Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 84. Shirley was born July 23, 1931 as the youngest of three children, to Gaylord and Ruth (Boss) Miles in Elwood, Nebraska. She grew up in Elwood and attended grade school and high school there, graduating in 1948. Shirley attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Home Economics with a teaching endorsement. Shirley was united in marriage to William G. Umberger on August 10, 1952. After their marriage, the couple lived in Lincoln for one year while Bill attended college and Shirley taught school in Eagle, Nebraska. When Bill was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the Army, they moved to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and lived there until moving to Karlsruhe, Germany where Bill was stationed for 16 months. After Bill’s discharge from the Army in 1955, the couple returned to the ranch west of Elwood. Four children were born into their family between January of 1957 and November of 1963; Laura Ann, Julia Ruth, Patrick Miles and Mary Lynne. In 1964, Shirley began teaching Home Economics and Biology in the Elwood Public Schools. She continued to teach there for over 30 years, where she sponsored an active FHA organization that received many honors, and was known to her students as “Mrs. U”. Shirley and Bill retired from the farm and moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 2007. Shirley was baptized as a young girl at the First Christian Church in Elwood, and joined the United Methodist Church in 1956. She has been an active member of the church and the United Methodist Women since that time. Shirley was also a lifetime member of the Nebraska State Education Association and the National Education Association, the UNL Alumni Association and Phi Upsilon Omicron. Shirley passed away at the age of 84, on February 18, 2016 at the Josie Harper Residence Hospice House in Omaha Nebraska. Shirley is survived by her husband William Umberger of Omaha, Nebraska, four children; Laura (Clayton) Harvey of Overland Park, Kansas, Julia (Doug) Stagemeyer of Ashland, Nebraska, Patrick (Lori) Umberger of Glenwood, Iowa and Mary (Craig Bagstad) Umberger of Omaha, Nebraska, 12 grandchildren; Erica (Ivan) Ross, Matthew (Suzanna) Stagemeyer, Emily (Logan) Headley, Pamela (Shane) Haschke, Elizabeth Harvey, Ryan Stagemeyer, Elliott Harvey, Evan Harvey, Benjamin Umberger, Lydia Umberger, Samantha Umberger and Maura Bagstad, 10 great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law; Arline Miles of Lexington, Nebraska and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her mother and father, her step-mother; Elva Miles, one sister; Gloria MacEwen, one brother; Larry Miles, two sisters-in-law; Mary Ellen Balke and Janet Schutz, and three brothers-in-law; G. A. MacEwen, Harold Balke and Ted Schutz. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Memorials will be designated by the family to; the NSEA Children's Fund, the United Methodist Church in Elwood and the Josie Harper Residence Hospice House in Omaha. Cremation was chosen. Memorial services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Elwood with Pastor Mary Fuller officiating. Those wishing to sign the memorial book may do so on Friday from 1 to 5 at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, which is in charge of arrangements.