Shirley Jean (Cook) Scovil, 93, of Oshkosh went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, at Park View Health Center. She was born in Ashtabula, OH, on August 22, 1928. On March 19, 1947, she was united in marriage to her childhood sweetheart, Lynn E. Scovil in Ashtabula.
While her husband attended Milwaukee Bible Institute, Shirley worked as an executive secretary to the president of the telephone company in Milwaukee, WI from 1948 - 1949 where she took rapid shorthand and typed 104 words per minute on a manual typewriter. She often told folks that she earned her PHT degree, for "Putting Hubby Through."
The year 1950 was very eventful for Shirley, as she bore her daughter (Carol) early in the year while living in Milwaukee. She moved back to Ashtabula, OH, to await the birth of her son (Larry) at the end of the year.
Following a move with her young family to Oshkosh, WI, in October, 1957, when her husband was called to pastor Plymouth Congregational Church, Shirley resided in Oshkosh for the remainder of her life. In addition to raising her two young children, she became very involved in the church's women's groups, the Sunday School program, Girls for Christ, AWANA Program, and singing in the choir.
Though she preferred to remain "behind the scenes," Shirley was an accomplished professional secretary. She worked along side her husband, Rev. Lynn Scovil, as his secretary at the church; and seasonally in the secretarial pool at the Miles Kimball Company. She later worked for Hans-Peter Kohlhoff as his executive secretary.
While Shirley was basically a very shy person, those who really knew her well would tell you how she loved to laugh! She would sit with her children in Sunday evening church, and soon the entire pew was shaking from the stifled giggles. She loved her family more than anything, and her dogs were her "fur babies."
Playing games was Shirley's favorite past time, and she was a fierce competitor. She also was a wonderful cook, Sunday afternoon's beef roast dinner was a specialty. Many missionaries or visiting church speakers were entertained in her home and enjoyed her cooking and hospitality.
Shirley is survived by daughter and son-in-law Carol and Greg Botz of Oshkosh; son and daughter-in-law Larry and Kris Scovil of Greeley, CO; grandchildren, Jennifer (Scott) Reisig of Scottsbluff, NE; Jarin (Sarah Jennings) Scovil of Laramie, WY; and Lindsay (Brandt Binkley) Scovil of Houston, TX; 6 great grandchildren, Glen, Faith Christine, Kaden, Katherine, Mikhela, and Benjamin. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and two young brothers.
The family wishes to thank all those who shared in caring for Shirley during these last five years of her life: especially the nursing staff, CNA's, activities personnel, therapists, and Social Workers at Park View Health Center. We are eternally grateful to you!!
A visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until the memorial service at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 at PLYMOUTH CHURCH, 1325 Georgia St., Oshkosh, with Rev. Larry Scovil, Rev. Rick Hopkins and Rev. Alan Cleveland officiating.