Julia Ann Crawley Shumaker

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Julia Ann Crawley Shumaker, 98, passed away Friday, April 29, 2011 in Greencastle. She was born in Greencastle on Nov. 4, 1912, the only child of Charles and Nancy Lovett Crawley.

In 1929, at the age of 16, Julia graduated from Greencastle High School. She received her B.A. degree from DePauw University in 1933 and her M.A. from the University of Illinois in 1936.

A second-generation educator and a third-generation Irishwoman, Julia taught Latin, Spanish, French and English at both the high school and university levels. Her happiest professional days were spent at the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home from 1933 to 1939. During the 1940 to '41 school year, Julia taught at Ursuline Academy in Louisville, Ky. From 1941 to 1947, she was a member of the Romance Language Department at DePauw University.

After her marriage to Dr. Arthur W. Shumaker on June 22, 1947, Julia continued to teach part-time at DePauw and also tutored students in her home. From 1965 until her retirement in 1979, she taught Spanish and English for the Greencastle Community School Corporation.

An inveterate traveler, Julia visited all 50 states as well as five continents. In 1935, she drove from Greencastle to San Diego, Calif. Periods of residence in Mexico City, Alaska and Freiburg, Germany, as well as adventures in Asia, in the South Pacific, on an Australian sheep station and in Minnesota, were highlights of Julia's adventures.

Julia was a generous supporter of numerous historic preservation groups, including the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Historic Preservation Society of Putnam County, Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana and the Putnam County Museum. A life-long member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Julia lived a faith-filled life and counted many priests and nuns among her wide and varied circle of friends. Other memberships included Putnam County Playhouse, Delta Zeta Sorority, the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature, Delta Kappa Gamma, Delta Theta Tau, Indiana Retired Teachers Association, AARP and the Indiana Historical Society.

Julia was a life-long learner and teacher. She was adventurous, strong-willed, considerate of others, loyal to her loved ones, generous and an insatiable student of human nature. She was a lady, a loving mother and grandmother.

Preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Arthur W. Shumaker on Sept. 15, 2000, Julia is survived by her daughter Elaine (Richard) Chase, Crawfordsville, and her granddaughter Bridget (Trevor) Yuhas, Baltimore, Md. as well as dear friends Barbara and Jerry Sadler, Greencastle; Jeff and Cathy McCall, Greencastle; Tisha Moon, Brazil; and Mary Anne Luzar Tattersall, Falls Church, Va.

Also surviving are nieces Pamela Boaz-Peppin (Bill Peppin), Santa Rosa, Calif.; Carol Wyant (Craig McGrath), Oak Park, Ill.; Alita Morrison, Plano, Texas; and Betty (Dick) Pugh, Great Falls, Mont., as well as nephews Robert Shumaker (Janet Garvin), Fairfax, Calif; James (Jane) Morrison, Westminster, Md.; and Bill Morrison. Numerous cousins also survive, including William Lovett, New Orleans, Lou., and Mary Crawley Scobee, Greencastle.

Calling will be held Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home in Greencastle. A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Dennis Faker at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

Memorials may be made to the Heritage Preservation Society of Putnam County or the Putnam County Museum.