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Shirely A. (Rhodes) Claypool

Shirley A. (Rhodes) Claypool, 93, of Shelocta, PA, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025 at Indiana Regional Medical Center in Indiana, PA.

She was born July 4, 1932 in New Kensington, PA to Elmus A. and Mary J. (Grossheim) Rhodes.

Shirley graduated from New Kensington High School in 1951 and was a resident of South Bend Township since 1974, previously living in Lower Burrell and Orchard Hills. She was a member of St. Michaels's Lutheran Church, Brick Church, where she served as a past president and member of her Church Council. Shirley also belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star #125 of Apollo, the White Shrine where she served as a past Watchman of the Shepherd, the Tall Cederettes Auxiliary, and the Royal Arch Chapter Auxiliary of Indiana, PA. She was employed as a cafeteria manager for 18 years with the Armstrong School District, mostly working in Elderton and retiring in 1998 from the Shannock Valley School. Shirley enjoyed tole painting, gardening, and raising Yorkshire Terriers for 23 years. She also loved playing dominoes with the ladies from the Monday Night Group and was a member of the Knotty Ladies Sewing Group. Recently, she found joy in coloring.

She is survived by her daughter; Elizabeth "Betty" McKee, of Shelocta; grandchildren, Mary McKee, Ryan Miller and wife, Emily, and Erica Cope and husband Josh; and great-grandchildren, Addison, Sadie, Lucy, Kaiden and Lilly.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Todd J. Claypool whom she married March 8, 1974 and who died October 18, 2019; son, Donald Miller, who died September 20, 1998; granddaughter, Jamie Gray, who died on Feb. 9, 2020; and brother, Robert E. Rhodes.

Friends and family will be received from 1 - 4 PM on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025 at Clark Chapel of the Bauer Funeral Home, 238 S. Main St., Elderton.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 at St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 2264 Garretts Run Rd, Ford City with the Rev. Barbara Love officiating.

Interment will be in the Brick Church Lutheran Cemetery, Ford City, PA.

Contributions can be made in Shirley's memory to St. Michael's Lutheran Church, 2264 Garretts Run Rd, Ford City, PA 16226.


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