Ella Shepherd

MOUNDS, Illinois -- Ella Nora "Norie" Newell Shepherd, 95, of Mounds passed away at 2:34 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, at her home, following two episodes of atrial fibrillation in August.

Ella was born June 21, 1924, in Mounds, daughter of the late Fred and Eva Jordan Newell.

Ella was a member of First United Methodist Church in Mounds. She was a 1942 graduate of Mounds Township High School, after which she left for Richmond, California, and became a "Rosie the Riveter." She was trained to weld and became a journeyman welder. She welded on 257 Victory Ships and saw them all launched. She met her husband, John Shepherd, in California, and they came back to Mounds after the war to start their family.

Ella was a hard worker and worked several jobs, but mainly Melton's Grocery and Jimmie's IGA. She retired from Jay's IGA. Needing something to do, she went back to work for Barkett Funeral Home.

Ella was the precious mother of three girls, Kimberly Ann Kaufman, Suzan Renne (Robert) Hodges and Ronna Kai (Brian) Moyers. She was the grandmother of Erin Renne Mayberry (Brian) Gould of Lamont, Illinois, and Justin Stern of New Baden, Illinois.

She was the great-grandmother of Benjamin and Kyle Gould of Lamont.

She leaves behind a sister, Virginia (Charles) Claxton of St. Charles, Missouri.

She was "Aunt Norie" to nieces, Carol Jean Clark (Kenneth) Mize, Cheryl Newell (Raleigh) Dunaway, Donna Claxton (Doug) Kinslow, Kathie Claxton Keithline, Eva Marie Newell VanMeter and Lisa Newell (Richie) Blankenship; and to nephews, Arthur "Sonny" (Eloise) Clark, Ronnie (Julie) Newell, Steven (Linda) Newell, Charles "Buddy" (Jean) Claxton, Mike Newell and Mark Newell.

Ella was preceded in death by her husband, John W. "Jack" Shepherd; first-born daughter, Kimberly A. Shepherd Kaufman; sister, Irma (Clarkie) Clark; brothers, Arvel (Edna) Newell, Fred (Katie) Newell, James "Lefty" (Jackie) Newell and baby John Henry Newell; and nephew, Kenneth (Mary Sue) Clark.

She is leaving behind more precious relatives and wonderful friends, especially her Golden Girl partner, Judy Russell, whom she dearly loved.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Mounds First United Methodist Church.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the church, with Pastor Doug Atkins and the Rev. Buddy Walls officiating. Interment will follow in Spencer Heights Cemetery in Mounds.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to Mounds First United Methodist Church.

To leave online condolences, visit www.jones-funeral.com.

Jones Funeral Home in Villa Ridge, Illinois, is in charge of the arrangements.