In Memoriam: Sister Shirley Ann Schultheis

Sister Shirley Ann Schultheis, 78, of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, died at 11:55 a.m. on Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at the monastery.

Sister Shirley Ann, also known as Sister Mary Keith until she reclaimed her baptismal name, was born on November 18, 1940, in Evansville, Indiana. She was the second of two children of Oscar and Nora (Pfeiffer) Schultheis. She entered the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand in 1958 and made her profession of monastic vows in 1960.  

She is survived by nieces and nephews and members of her religious community. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, William (Bill) Schultheis and sister-in-law, Mary Ann (Brahm) Schultheis.

Sister Shirley Ann attended Academy Immaculate Conception and St. Benedict College in Ferdinand, studying education. She worked as a teacher in Southern Indiana for Fulda Elementary, Celestine Elementary, St. Henry School, St. Benedict School and Marian Day School from 1964-1970. Her ministry led her to SIRS in Ferdinand and Boonville as a Special Education Supervisor and Community Resource Consultant from 1971- 1999. Since 1999, her ministry has been at the monastery as a Social Services Coordinator, Sales Associate at the Monastery Gift Shop, and supportive services for the Sisters of St. Benedict.

Visitation will be at the monastery on Friday, January 4, from 2 to 6:45 p.m. EDT and on Saturday, January 5, from 9 – 10:15 a.m. A vigil service will be held on Friday at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in the monastery church followed by burial in the monastery cemetery.  
Becher Funeral Home in Ferdinand will oversee the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand.