Shirley Gillespie Waterman, 86, of Indianapolis, Indiana and formerly of Terre Haute passed away Saturday afternoon, April 12, 2014 in Community North Hospital in Indianapolis. She was a retired educator. Shirley was born January 9, 1928 in Erie Pennsylvania to Robert Frank Gillespie and Helen Rarick Gillespie. She was married to her beloved husband, Dr. David C. Waterman, for nearly 50 years before his death in 2003. Her parents have also preceded her in death. Shirley was a devoted and loving mother of three surviving children including two daughters, Cathy Waterman Faulk and her husband, Mike, of Indianapolis and Carole Waterman Connor and her husband, Shane, of Fort Wayne, IN; and one son, Rob Waterman of Seattle, WA. Also surviving are her three grandchildren, Sean Faulk, and twins Luke and Kyle Faulk. Shirley received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Villa Maria College in Erie, Pennsylvania in 1949 where she was selected to Who's Who Among American Colleges and University Students. She did graduate work at the University of Wisconsin in Madison and Indiana State University where she received her Masters Degree in 1987. She retired from Indiana State University in 1993 where she was an assistant professor of Education. She has taught in four states (Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Massachusetts and Indiana) and classes from pre-school through college. She spent her lifetime teaching and mentoring children. She was an active member of Memorial United Methodist Church, a life member of Shiloh Chapter Order of Eastern Star, member of Indiana State University Faculty Wives, Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, Medieval Association of the Midwest, International Reading Association, Phi Delta Kappa Geography Educators of Indiana, College English Association, Studies in the Medieval and Renaissance Teaching, Indiana Council for the Social Studies, Hoosier Association of Social Studies and an active member of the Indiana State University Faculty Senate. She was also a Board Member of TREES, Inc and Friends of the Arboretum. She was a member of Indiana State University Masterworks Chorale and enjoyed singing in musicals at Community Theater and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. In 2002, she received the "Mighty Oak Award" from TREES, Inc. for her volunteer work. That same year she was recognized at Memorial United Methodist Church for 50 years of teaching Sunday School. In 1990, she co-authored a book monograph titled "The Middle Ages: Exciting Exploration and Enlightenment". It was written to help teachers nationwide to teach about the Middle Ages. She wrote a supplement to the book in 1993. She has presented at numerous national and international Conferences on teaching about the Middle Ages. She also lectured at Eastern Michigan University to help University students in their Medieval Ages Studies. Her greatest joys were working with children - teaching school, teaching Sunday School, as a soccer coach, as a mentor in the Kids Hope program, working with all the children in Vigo County Schools and as Chair of education in two environmental groups; TREES, Inc and Friends of the Arboretum. She especially enjoyed reading and music. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 16, 2014 in Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar Street, with Reverend Scott Johnson officiating. Visitation is scheduled prior to services on Wednesday from 11:00 A.M. - 2:00P.M. in the church. Burial will follow in Highland Lawn Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Callahan & Hughes Funeral Home, 605 South 25th Street. If friends so desire, memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Memorial United Methodist Church, 2701 Poplar Street, Terre Haute, IN 47803, TREES, Inc., P.O. Box 3683, Terre Haute, IN 47803 or to Friends of the Arboretum, 8460 South Singhurst St., Terre Haute, IN 47802.
