Reverend Shirley Thanasiu

Reverend Shirley J. Thanasiu, age 82, of Fremont, Ohio, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at her residence. She was born on October 7, 1938 in Castalia, Ohio to the late Clemith and Mrytle (Gowitzka) Duffett.

Shirley loved Jesus and devoted her life to Him. She served as an ordained minister for a majority of her life and attended Sweetwater Bible College. She helped to establish two churches, Worship Alive and Journey By Grace, the latter of which was held in her in home. For many years, she also had a nursing home ministry. She was currently an assistant pastor at Rivers of Living Water church in Fremont. She frequently held bible studies and intercessory prayer, ministered to others, and officiated many weddings. In the earlier years of her life she was also a dedicated homemaker and obtained her real estate license.

Shirley played the piano and loved playing the Black Hawk Waltz for her family, which she learned as a child. She loved to travel and visited 46 states in the US, England, and Belgium, and also served as a missionary in Haiti and Africa twice. Shirley also enjoyed craft projects, crocheting, making wood plaques, old clocks, and the outdoors. She also baked homemade bread and pies. 

Shirley led many people to the Lord, and she will always be remembered as someone who faithfully served God and unconditionally loved others. 

She is survived by her husband, Gary Thanasiu, whom she married on August 3, 2002 at Worship Alive church in Bellevue, Ohio; children, Allen Shorts, Port Clinton; Pamela (Larry) Moyes, Gibsonburg, Luke Shorts, Green Springs, Lynn LeJeune (Brian), Huron, David Shorts, Bellevue; step-children, Michelle (Jamie) Repass, Michigan, Chasity (Jason) Walters, Toledo, Sarah Kulinski, Georgia; siblings, Melvin Duffett, Green Springs, Clarice (Alvin) Mason, Bellevue, Clemith (Sheila) Duffett, Castalia; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren; step-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; her late husband, Paul Eugene Shorts; son, John Shorts; step-daughter Katrina Thanasiu; siblings, John Duffett and Iverna Fallecker; grandchildren Josh Huffman, Chelsea Shorts, and Paul Allen Shorts.

Friends will be received on Monday, December 21 from 2:00 pm until a funeral service begins at 6:00 pm at Foos and Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue, with Bishop Robert Jones officiating. Current social distancing and mask use will be required. 

Memorials may be made to Rivers of Living Water

604 Holland Street

Fremont, Ohio 43420

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com

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