Shekleton, Mary (Manning)

Mary (Manning) Shekleton, 60, of Unionville, Mo., and Sun City Center, Fla., died Nov. 27, 2013, at Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville after a courageous battle with liver cancer since 2004.

Mary's faith and relationship with our Savior were part of her core beliefs. She held membership with North Gate Alliance Church in Ottumwa, Iowa. One of Mary's favorite Bible verses was Jeremiah 29:11 - “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

She was born Nov. 19, 1953, in Waterloo, Iowa to LuVerne and Virginia Robert Manning. She married Frank Shekleton there on Feb. 18, 1995. Mary resided in Waterloo and Burlington before her husband's retirement.

Mary earned her bachelor's degree from Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minn. She achieved her master's degree in vocational counseling at University of Wisconsin at Stout, Menomonie, Wis. Mary went on to work as a college counselor for 18 years at Hawkeye Community College. Mary also earned numerous postgraduate credit hours.

Mary's bond with her four nephews, Andrew, Matthew, Michael and Tyler, and five nieces, Lexie, Holly, Heidi, Alicia and Jane, all of which survive, was something she cherished. She was known to them as “MiMi.” She enjoyed spending time with the nephews and nieces, sharing their triumphs and watching them grow up to be successful young adults.

Mary enjoyed all aspects of the water, sailing in the Caribbean and Florida; also sailing her own small sailboats. She also loved vacationing in Mexico and the Caribbean countries. She sailed among many of the Caribbean countries. She also enjoyed power boating, pontooning, water skiing and swimming. Mary was involved in many community-related activities and was a member of Chapter KB of PEO in Burlington. Mary was an avid reader, belonging to several different book clubs in Burlington, Iowa, Unionville, Mo., and Sun City Center, Fla., and a writers club in Sun City Center.

Mary started the very successful Coats for Kids organization in Burlington for all of Des Moines County. The first year over 700 new and gently used coats were donated for distribution to needy children. Thousands of children were provided with warm coats over the years she ran the program. Mary also volunteered in different classrooms helping with reading and other needs of the children.

Survivors include her husband, Frank; two brothers, Bob (Kim) Manning of Cedar Falls and Mark (Deanna) Manning of Urbandale; two sisters, Marty (Dave) Auringer of Prior Lake, Minn., and Maggie (Mark) Schumacher of Minneapolis; and one sister-in-law, Julie Manning of Waterloo.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents.

A celebration of life will be held at Orchard Hill Church in Cedar Falls on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 11 a.m., with a hot luncheon to follow. Public visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at Hagarty-Waychoff-Grarup Funeral Service on West Ridgeway, Waterloo.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Northeast Missouri or SmileTrain/Save Mary.

Condolences may be directed to www.hagartywaychoffgrarup.com.

Published Dec. 1, 2013 in The Gazette