Shirley Jean (Card) Strohl

Shirley Jean (Card) Strohl was born on March 5, 1939 and passed away peacefully at home under the loving care of her family on July 1, 2024. Shirley was a devoted wife to John R. Strohl, who predeceased her on 8/31/2016 and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother to a very large family. Shirley loved the Lord and was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church of Towanda, where she served her Lord as a kindergarten teacher, co-chairwoman of church rummage sales and was a deacon for many years. Shirley wasn’t just a Christain on Sundays, she walked the walk, through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity to others. She spoke openly about her love of the Lord and her ministry was by personal example. If you met Shirley on the street, in a store or at a doctor’s appointment, she would quickly befriend you and invite you to her home for a slice of her famous apple pie and a cup of coffee. Hospitality was her passion and she loved people. Shirley graduated from Towanda High School in 1957 and attended Empire Beauty School in Wilkes-Barre, PA, graduating in 1958 with a license to practice cosmetology. Shirley’s first beauty salon was in Wysox, PA, opening in October 1958. Later when Shirley married John R. Strohl she moved her beauty salon into her home on 4th Street in Towanda. Shirley was the owner and operator of Strohl’s Beauty Salon until her family grew and she closed her salon to care for them. Shirley was well known in her community having been a brownie leader for her youngest daughter’s troop and a cub scout den mother for her youngest sons. Shirley served for 30yrs. on the local election board in Towanda 1st ward. In later years, Shirley went back to work as a teacher’s aide in cosmetology at the Northern Tier Career Center from January 1992 to December 1992. She was also a greeter at the Wysox KMart from March 1994 to February 1996. Shirley is predeceased by her parents; Warren and Edna Card, who owned and operated Card’s Service Center on College Avenue in Towanda. She was an only child, who longed to be a part of a large family. She got that wish when she married John R. Strohl on July 16, 1961; he was one of 15 children, so Shirley now had plenty of sisters and brothers. Together, John and Shirley had seven children: Diane L. Corcoran (deceased 2017), John R. Strohl, Jr. (deceased 2022); living children, Michele V. Strohl, Penny Brown-Palmer, Valerie O’Neil, Warren Strohl and David Strohl. Shirley is also survived by her son and daughters-in-law; Claudia Strohl (John Jr.), Jane Land (Michele), Howard O’Neil (Valerie), Fran Strohl (Warren), and Tina Strohl (David). Ex-daughters and sons in-law, who have remained close to the family: Sherry Strohl, Sandra Karr (Gene), Ann Westbrook, Vivian Strohl, Dale Brown( Fran), and Ken Raupers (Wendy). In addition she is survived by her special friend, Tom Jennings and special Goddaughter, Lorraine Benjamin Walker (Jim). Shirley is survived by many grandchildren: Tara Strohl Peeler (Brandon), Jeremy Strohl, Andrew George (Jenny), Marcus Lay, Nicholas Corcoran (Cosette), Owen Brown (Angelina), Kyle Brown (Lindsey), Julia Strohl Evans, Jenna Strohl Peterson (Robbie), Dylan Strohl, Ashley Strohl Birdsall (Tyler), Nathan Raupers (Allyssa), Travis Raupers (Raquel), Kenneth Raupers, Jr. (Katrina), Macen Raupers, Danielle Parkhurst (Jeff), Wesley O’Neil , Stephanie Young, Jim Seymour (Jen), and Jared Seymour (Krystal), William Ellingsgard and Dominique Ellingsgard. Shirley is survived by the following great-grandchildren; Emily Strohl, Hailey Strohl, Lily McKenzie, Nicholas Corcoran, Jr., Seth Lay, Rhone Lay, Clara Brown, Theodore Brown, Nathaniel Brown, Kassidy Raupers, Nora Wedding, Carson Chamberlain, Iris Raupers, Matthew Raupers, Anastasia Brown, Natalia Brown, Hunter Parkhurst, Mason Parkhurst, Faith Parkhurst, Xander Shoemaker, Xoie Shoemaker, Jaelyn Young, Aleigha Young, Evelynia O’Neil, Robbie O’Neil, Chase Seymour, Kamdyn Seymour, Ben Seymour, Gabriel Peterson, Grayson Peterson, Gavin, Peterson, Graham Peterson, Harley Slater, McKenzie Slater, and Damien Forrest. A time of visitation for family and friends will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Towanda from 5pm-7pm on Friday 7/5/2024, a memorial service to celebrate Shirley’s life will follow at 7pm. Light refreshments will be served during and after the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Towanda or to a charity of your choice in Shirley’s name. Memories and condolences may be expressed by visiting www.bowenfuneralhomes.com.

Shirley Jean (Card) Strohl

March 5, 1939 - July 1, 2024

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Shirley Jean (Card) Strohl

March 5, 1939 - July 1, 2024

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information