Shirley L Thomas Carlson

Shirley Thomas Carlson, 86, of Clinton, IN, passed away at her home on Wednesday, Sept. 7th, 2022, after suffering a series of falls, leading to pneumonia and her ultimate passing.

Shirley was born on August 9, 1936, to her parents, Kenneth L. Peck and Violet Lorene Davis Peck in Paris, IL. After Shirley graduated from Hillsdale High School in 1954, she married Charles G. (C.G.) Thomas on February 12, 1955 (deceased January 5, 1999) and went on to have two children, Rhonda Smith (Dan), of Clinton, IN and Ron Thomas (Lori) of Ellettsville, IN. Grandchildren Bradley Smith (Jessica) and sons, Braxton and Bryson of Clinton, Adam Smith (Rachel) of Clinton, Keelea Kile (Mitchel) and children Tahlen, Grifinn, and Grier of Ellettsville, IN, Caycee (Donnie) Wright and children Zoie, Gavin, and Paytin.

After the loss of the first husband, Charles Thomas, Shirley later married Earl Carlson on August 4, 2001. Shirley’s inherited and wonderful additional family. Her stepchildren are Earl John Carlson (Lynn), Vance Carlson (Sharie) and Tammy Dandurand (Brad), all located in Minnesota. Grandchildren are Nick (Megan) and daughter Brooklyn and son Jaxson; Kayla (Marcus) and sons Owen and Miles; and Jacob (Josie) of Minnesota; Austin and Alyssa from Park Rapids, MN and Preston, Paxton, and Peighton Dandurand from Sacred Heart, MN.

Preceding her in death were her parents, her first husband, her sister, Jo Marie Nowarita, her brother, John Pollaro. Shirley is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Peggy Pollaro and Laurie Thomas, many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Shirley also had many special friends, including her best friend, Barb Foltz, who was like a sister to her.

Shirley retired from Eli Lilly in 1993 and was a devoted member of the Wayside United Methodist Church. Shirley also performed volunteer work for the Union Hospital Clinton Guild and was an honorary member of the Towne and Countrie Garden Club.

The center of her world was her family. Much of her life was focused on going to all activities of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Shirley was also an avid genealogy researcher, and devoted Chicago Cubs fan, and loved spending time with her other best friend, her dachshund, Toby.

While Shirley will be dearly missed by all that knew her, she would want everyone to know that she was more than prepared to meet her Lord and Savior.

Visitation will be held at the Frist Funeral Home from 4-8pm EST on Sunday, Sept. 11th and funeral services will begin at 1pm EST on Monday, Sept. 12th at the Frist Funeral Home with burial at Roselawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations should be sent to Wayside United Methodist Church in memory of Shirley L. Thomas Carlson.

Online condolences can be sent to www.fristfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley L Thomas Carlson, please visit our floral store.