Shirley J. Earley

Shirley J. Earley, 79, of Alum Bank, passed peacefully on Saturday, September 17, 2011 at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.  She was born on February 3, 1932, in Cessna, a daughter of the late Clark E. and Ruth V. (Diehl) Bloom.  On December 25, 1976 in Los Angeles, CA, she married Donald Earley Sr. and he survives along with the following family; a son, Thomas E. Foor married to the former Kathy L. Morgart of Cessna, a daughter, Janice R. wife of Jeffery L. May of Cessna, a daughter, Debbie Fonseca of California, a son, Donald E.  Earley Jr. and significant other Melissa Phillips of Schellsburg, a daughter, Donna “D.J.”  Wolfe of Bedford, a son, Mark P. Earley married to the former Misty Crawley of Alum Bank, a son,  Michael P. Earley married to the former Kayla Ritchey of New Paris; eleven grandchildren: Amie Leonard and husband Adam, Jesse Foor and wife Chantal, Jennifer Shobert and husband Todd, Tyler, Nathan, Austin, and Christian Earley, Mya and KeeShawn Allen, Sandra Cisneros and Monica Hernandez; three great-grandchildren; Jacob and Logan Foor, and Zachary Leonard; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first husband Ellis “Bud” A. Foor, who preceded her in death on December 11, 1965, and a sister, “Sis” Elsie Mae Fetter.

Shirley was warm hearted, loved to talk, never met a stranger, and loved to read Dean Koontz Thrillers. She had a wonderful sense of humor and could always make people laugh at her antics and comments, even when she became very ill. She lived in California with her husband Don for many years before returning to Bedford County. While in California, she managed Little Joe’s Italian Restaurant in Los Angeles, where she had the opportunity to foster many friendships with various celebrities and players for the LA Dodgers. Upon returning to Bedford County, she and her husband Don owned and operated the Willows Restaurant until her subsequent retirement. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Shirley was affiliated with The Claysburg Bible Church in Claysburg, and was a previous member at St. Johns Christian Church in Cessna. She was a member of the Bedford American Legion Ladies Auxiliary Post # 113, and was past President of the Bedford Lioness Club.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at 11:00 a.m., in the chapel at Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home, in Bedford, with the Pastor Keith Showalter officiating.  Burial will be held at the convenience of the family.  Friends will be received on Monday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The First Commonwealth Bank in Pleasantville to help fray the costs of medical and funeral expenses. Donations may be sent to First Commonwealth Bank, 4327 Quaker Valley Rd Alum Bank, PA 15521 in care of Shirley Earley. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.