Shirley Joan Newton, 79, Huntingburg

Shirley Joan Newton, 79, of Huntingburg, passed away at 12:26 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2019, at her residence.

She was born January 22, 1940, in Huntingburg to Bert and Bessie (Brice) Wilkey. She married Carl “Ray” Newton on December 4, 1970, in Huntingburg. 

Shirley was a member of the First Pentecostal Church in Birdseye, where she served as the pianist and a member of the worship team for the past 45 years.  She was dedicated to the service of God and enjoyed singing and playing music, both personally and during church services and functions.  Prior to becoming a wife and mother, she traveled with various evangelistic ministry and singing groups delivering the message in music and song.  Shirley was a devoted mother and friend to many and was an enthusiastically vocal “living room recliner cheerleader” for the Indiana University Basketball team.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Carl “Ray” Newton; her parents; six sisters, Helen Jane Wilkey, Mildred Grace Blume, Nellie Wilkey, Alberta Marie Wilkey, Dora May “Doddie” Leonard and Dorothy Jean Huff; and five brothers, Arthur Wilkey, Elmer James Wilkey, Edward Sherman Wilkey, Walter Reed Wilkey and Herbert Hoover Wilkey.

She is survived by her son, David Ray Newton of Huntingburg, formerly of Evansville; David’s girlfriend and Shirley’s caregiver, Jill Wethington of Huntingburg, formerly of Evansville; one God-son and God-daughter, Eric Harper and Paula Harper of Jeffersonville; one sister-in-law, Janet Thurston of French Lick; one brother-in-law, George Newton; and a host of nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors and Brothers and Sisters in the Body of Christ, especially the Birdseye Pentecostal Church family.

A public Celebration of Life Service for Shirley J. Newton will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at the First Pentecostal Church in Birdseye with Reverend Bret Eckert officiating. A private committal service and interment will be held at Fairmount Cemetery in Huntingburg. 

Nass & Son Funeral Home in Huntingburg has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Heart-to-Heart Hospice or the First Pentecostal Church of Birdseye. 

Condolences may be shared online at www.nassandson.com.