Shirley Jean Condra
Shirley Condra—beloved mother, grandmother, and Gigi—passed away peacefully on October 7th, 2024, at the age of 88 in Springfield, Missouri. Shirley was born in the family home in the St. Luke community in Webster County on August 5, 1936, to Jacob and Delpha Burchfield. Shirley grew up as an only child in Marshfield, Missouri, where she graduated from high school in 1954.
Shirley was gifted in music from an early age and she used her talents to serve her family, community, and church. She served the First Baptist Church of Marshfield for over 50 years as an organist and pianist. Shirley also served in similar capacities at Victory Baptist Church in Springfield and Washington Street Christian Church in Marshfield. Shirley was loved and respected as a great piano teacher, sharing her musical abilities teaching piano to hundreds of students in and around the Marshfield community.
As much as Shirley loved music, her number one priority was her family. While working at the Sweet Shop on the Marshfield Square in the 1950s, Shirley met a young man named John Van Diggelen from Park Ridge, Illinois that was stationed at the Fordland Air Base. John and Shirley were united in marriage on December 15, 1956 and shared twenty-one wonderful years together before John passed away in 1978. They were blessed with three children: John Paul, Pamela Jean, and Tricia Ann. Shirley would marry Russell Condra in 1982 and they enjoyed almost thirty-four golden years together until Russ passed on September 4, 2016.
Shirley was the matriarch of the family and hosted meals for most holidays. At home, she would fix everyone’s favorite foods and you knew that anything coming out of her kitchen was going to be exceptional. Shirley was very supportive of the endeavors of her family members. She could be seen in the stands wherever a family member was playing or coaching from athletic events to music concerts.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob and Delpha Burchfield; her husbands, John Van Diggelen and Russell Condra. She is survived by her children and their families: John Paul Van Diggelen (Sheila) and their children Nathan (Kaylee), Jake (Anna), and Alison (Michael); Pam Cornelison and her children Jeremy (Liz) and Jessica Glasscock (Josh); and Trish Marsh (Marty) and their children Mitchell and Madison. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Jada Cornelison, Lane Cornelison & Lauren Cornelison.
Funeral arrangements are under the service of Fraker Funeral Home in Marshfield, MO. A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, October 12, 11:00 a.m., at the First Baptist Church, 1001 S. White Oak, Marshfield, Missouri. Interment will follow in Marshfield Cemetery. Visitation will be prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation to the First Baptist Church of Marshfield or the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of Shirley’s steadfast fight against this debilitating disease. Donations may be left in care of Fraker Funeral Funeral Home, Inc., P.O. Box 85, Marshfield, MO, 65706.
The family of Shirley Condra would like to express a special thank you to Adina, Florin, Dana, and the rest of the caregiving team at Close to Paradise Senior Care. “We appreciate the compassion and care you have given to our mother, Shirley.”