Sheila McIlwain

Albany, IN

Sheila Lynn McIlwain, 67, peacefully left her earthly life to see her Savior early Friday morning December 6th at her home in Albany, Indiana. She was born on June 6th, 1957 in Muncie, Indiana to Harold and Vera Mercer, the 4th of 5 children. She married Gordon McIlwain on July 23rd, 1976 in Muncie.  Her kindness and smiles will be missed by all.

Surviving is her husband of 48 years, Gordon McIlwain and their children: Amy (Marcos) Hernandez of Ft Wayne, Indiana, David (Stephanie) McIlwain of Fishers, Indiana, and Becca (Ted) Rankin of Hartford City, Indiana along with 6 grandchildren: Kairi, Aletheia, & Nelle Rankin, Piper & Theo Hernandez, and Everett McIlwain. She is also survived by her siblings: Kathy (Reggie – deceased) Sewell, Debbie (Kal) Rissman, and Jeff (Donna) Mercer, and by many in-laws, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and her older brother William (Bill) Mercer.

Sheila’s great gifting and passion in life was being involved in the lives of children, especially preschoolers. She loved Jesus and taught in children’s ministries at church for many years. In addition, she was the director of Alliance Wee World Day Care and Nursery School at the Muncie Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in the early 1980s, and later for at time after her children were raised as a teacher at Head Start in Muncie, Indiana and at Busy Bee Learning Center in Albany, Indiana. There was no greater joy for her than to be able to raise her children as a stay-at-home mom attending all their many activities, and then later to love on her grandchildren. Sheila also enjoyed camping and fishing and reveled in her trips accompanying her husband and family in the BWCA as well as Spider Lake in Minnesota, and also trips throughout WI, MI, and IN.  She was also an avid game player, especially card games like Skip-Bo, Euchre, Rage, and Phase 10 with her family and friends.

A celebration of Sheila’s life will be held at Eaton Church of God located at 700 E Harris Street, Eaton, IN at 2:00 pm with visitation immediately preceding beginning at 12:00 on Friday, December 13, 2024. Private burial will take place at Strong Cemetery, Albany.

Memorials may be made in her name to The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration 2700 Horizon Drive, Suite 120, King of Prussia, PA 19406.

Pitman-Richman Funeral Home of Eaton is entrusted with arrangements.

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