Shirley Ann Hodgen

April 3, 2023

Send Condolences

Shirley Ann Hodgen 82, of Frankfort, died April 3, 2023 at Witham Hospital, Lebanon.  She was born July 10, 1940 in Chicago, IL to Ivan Amos & Anna Geneve (Wainscott) Hiatt.  She married the love of her life, Allan J. Hodgen on August 8, 1965 and he preceded her in death on March 20, 2020.  The loss of her husband affected her greatly, but her love for the Lord was the foundation on which she stood.

Shirley was a 1958 graduate of Frankfort High School, received her B.S. degree in 1964 from Butler University and in 1973 received her Master’s degree.  She taught school and was a children’s librarian for Lincoln Elementary and Thorntown Public Library. She also taught remedial reading and computer classes at Riley Elementary and taught preschool at St. Matthew United Methodist Church.  She retired from the library in August of 2013.  Shirley was a devoted Christian who loved the Lord, she was a member of the Lebanon Christian Church and also attended A New Beginning Church in Frankfort. She was active with the Methodist Youth Foundation.  She enjoyed playing the piano and organ, as well as reading and gardening.  Spending time with family and grandkids was her greatest joy, but teaching, loving, helping and mentoring young children also filled her heart.

Visitation and Services

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2023 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St. Frankfort. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11th at the funeral home. Kurt Alexander of the Lebanon Christian Church will officiate. Burial will be in Buntin Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Parkinson’s Research Foundation, 5969 Cattleridge Blvd. Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34232 or the Lebanon Christian Church, 610 W 250 N, Lebanon, IN 46052.

Survived by:

her 2 sons, Jason Hodgen of rural Frankfort and Keith (Jenny) Hodgen of Thorntown, her pride and joy were her 4 grandchildren, Mitchell (Emily) Hodgen, Marshall Hodgen, Madison Hodgen, Clayton Randolph and 1 Great-Grandson, Gus.

Preceded by:

her parents, husband and sister, Judy Riegel.

Memorial Video

Click on the video below to play.

Condolences

Leave your Condolences

19 Condolences for “Shirley Ann Hodgen”

  1. Trish (Bolt) Good April 4, 2023 at 6:59 pm

    Sending prayers of peace and comfort to you all. I will always remember Shirley’s laugh, kindness and generosity. We had so much fun as roomies on our trip to Kentucky. Good memories of the farm in Indiana too. Sending hugs and love to you all! Bless you!

    Reply
  2. Mary and Neil Smith April 4, 2023 at 7:29 pm

    We will all miss her, what a compassionate and witty lady she was. Our condolences to the family, whom she loved dearly.

    Reply
  3. Ellen April 4, 2023 at 8:14 pm

    Keith, I’m so sorry to hear about your mom!!! She was the kindest and so very considerate! She would text me occasionally and always had something nice to say. Last one was about Bill and telling me and Denny how sorry she was for our loss. I know that I didn’t know her like your friends but I truly cared about her and always brought a smile to my face when she texted. She was just that type of person!!!

    Reply
  4. Stacy Miller Bjerke April 5, 2023 at 1:08 am

    My deepest sympathy for the loss of Shirley. I have good memories of her especially at Jackson Elementary as a room mom, substitute teaching, and field trip chaperone.

    Reply
  5. Bill Stoops April 5, 2023 at 11:42 am

    My wife, Pat Hill Stoops, went through Riley and Frankfort High School, and I was in Sunday School (First Methodist Church) and “FHS 58” with Shirley. More recently Pat & I have worked with her on class reunion’s. She has always been a hard worker and a great team leader. For the up coming class reunion (our 65th) she took a list of half of our classmates and called each one to let them know about our get together.

    Shirley was a leader and a person we should try to be like! I know she is in a better place with the love of her life!, Like the Alan Jackson Hit song paraphrased says She wants to Stoll over Heaven with Alan Hodgen.

    Reply
  6. Debra Rich April 5, 2023 at 8:15 pm

    Sending prayers to your family. I worked with Shirley many years ago at Thorntown Library and enjoyed her so much. She was such a sweet and kind person. I remember she had a wonderful smile and twinkle in her eyes. You could tell she loved her family and helping people. I know she will be missed by many.

    Reply
  7. Marda Hale April 5, 2023 at 10:41 pm

    Keith and family, I am so very sorry to hear this. I remember when your dad was at Witham in the ECU unit I saw her there just about every day. She had came in to the cafeteria and at first she didn’t recognize me cause I had a hat on but I started talking about Jackson and our trip to Chicago. We laughed cause I told her I still had a pic of her in my scrapbook from our Chicago trip. She was a great lady. RIP SHIRLEY

    Reply
  8. Janice Murphy April 6, 2023 at 9:06 am

    So sorry to hear about Shirley’s passing. Shirley was a cousin to me. My dad and Anna were first cousins. Shirley called me a few years ago and I really enjoyed catching up with her. Prayers and peace knowing Shirley is with our Lord. Janice Wainscott Murphy.

    Reply
  9. Carmen Sanders April 6, 2023 at 9:35 am

    Such a sweet lady, always had a smile when I greeted her at LCC. So sorry for your loss.

    Reply
  10. Bob & Sallie Pearson April 7, 2023 at 10:04 pm

    Keith and Jason, we were so sorry to read of your Mom’s passing. And we apologize for not being able to make it to the visitation. Our families go way back to the Jackson Elementary School days! Your Mom was always so kind and helpful with anything that was asked of her. We pray for peace and comfort for your family during this difficult time. I’m sure you know how extremely proud she was of her sons. Well done Shirley, may you rest in peace.

    Reply
  11. Robert Werner April 8, 2023 at 9:23 pm

    Shirley was my mom’s sister from another mother. If anyone in our family was experiencing any type of crisis or concern, Shirley was quick to respond with prayers, support, knowledge, and a dash of her wonderful wit. She was a wealth of compassion and love. She will be dearly missed by all of those who were fortunate enough to have known her.

    Reply
  12. Barbara Werner April 8, 2023 at 10:07 pm

    Shirley & I have had a sisterly relationship for as long as I can remember. She was my most trusted & treasured friend..so lucky to have had her in my life! She walked her life in faith, which made her a great counselor.
    At last you are resting in peace with your beloved Allan!! You’ll always be my BFF! Love ya, Barbara

    Reply
  13. Tom Rich April 9, 2023 at 3:45 am

    She was my grade school teacher, 1st grade. She took out class a few at a time to Turkey Run State Park and she was my favorite teacher of all times. I am so sorry for the families loss, she will be missed.

    Reply
  14. Ruth Ewigleben April 10, 2023 at 8:00 am

    I was so sorry to learn of Shirley’s death. She was a great influence on my children at the library and we will always remember her fondly.

    Reply
  15. Robin Vermillion April 10, 2023 at 12:46 pm

    I took care of Allan until he passed away. Shirley had little sleep and would make sure that I had eaten breakfast. She had sticky notes all over the kitchen telling me what I needed to do if she had an errand to run. Prayers for her family what a kind soul and I will always remember her smile.

    Reply
  16. Bill and Susan Miller and family April 11, 2023 at 11:59 am

    I’m missing a dear friend with whom I chatted on the telephone frequently. We’ve been friends since high school. She was a faithful woman and a very good friend. Our entire family will miss her and send our deepest condolences to her family.

    Reply
  17. Ron Best April 12, 2023 at 10:08 am

    She was my all time favorite teacher. I had her for 3rd grade at Lincoln. I still read Bears of Blue River every once in a while and think of her. I have read this book to all 4 of my sons.

    Reply
  18. Laura Kafka April 12, 2023 at 1:03 pm

    I knew Shirley when she was a resident at Shaker Square here in Lebanon. She was just so kind and fun to be around. My condolences to the family and many friends she left behind. She was truly an Angel amongst us, but is now back with the love of her life. Peace, Shirley. You are loved.

    Reply
  19. Lu Anne Harrison April 12, 2023 at 3:49 pm

    I was really surprised and saddened when I learned of Shirley’s passing. I hadn’t seen her since she retired from Thorntown Library but will always remember how kind she was. She helped my two daughters many times with assignments for school. She always had a smile on her face. I was really glad to know her.

    Reply

Please fill out this form to contact the staff of Goodwin Funeral Home. We will respond to your message as soon as possible.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Family Information Guide

Goodwin Funeral Home obituaries are created from information contained in the Family Information Guide.

The Family Information Guide is a no-cost service provided by Goodwin Funeral Home for families and individuals who wish to record their personal information during the funeral preplanning process.

Begin your Family Information Guide today. Learn more about preparing yourself and loved ones for difficult and emotional decisions in the future.

Start my Family Information Guide

Funeral Arrangement Planner

Begin planning a funeral with our simple funeral arrangement planner.

The funeral arrangement planner was created to help guide you through the basic steps of planning a funeral. You may send your funeral plans to our office with any questions you may have about the funeral planning process.

Funeral Arrangement Planner