Shirley Mae (Vogler) Meister

Shirley Mae Vogler Meister, 83, passed away January 28, 2020 after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Shirley was born in Belleville, Illinois to the late Lester and Irene (Huber) Vogler. Devoted wife of Paul for 61 years, she was a loving mother and grandmother, published writer and lover of her feline friends.

Shirley was granted a full scholarship to and graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Belleville, Illinois. She met her husband Paul while working as a proof-reader at the Belleville Daily Advocate. Later, she was the editor of the society page at the Belleville News-Democrat. Shirley and Paul married, moved to Chicago for a short time, and eventually settled in Indianapolis, the Broad Ripple neighborhood in 1959. They joined Christ the King church and community and raised three girls through primary, secondary school and college. Shirley joined the girls in college, graduating summa cum laude with a degree in English from IUPUI in 1985.

Shirley was an accomplished, published, and syndicated author and columnist. She worked diligently both inside and outside the home writing, marketing and providing public relations expertise to various organizations. For over 15 years, Shirley wrote weekly and monthly columns for the Indianapolis Criterion and The Village Sampler (Broad Ripple). In addition, she was a free-lance writer for the Indianapolis News and The Indianapolis Star. Shirley had multiple poems and short stories published, most notably her poems “The Coming of Winter” appearing in "When I am An Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple" and “The Sacrifice” in "If I Had My Life To Live Over I Would Pick More Daisies."

In addition to her writing talents, Shirley spent time gardening, reading, enjoying time with her family, volunteering, and advocating against elder care abuse. With a fierce thirst for knowledge, she loved music, to read, to dance, and being outside with nature. She made friends wherever she went, having a pen pal from Japan, hosting foreign exchange visitors from Lebanon and Southeast Asia; always finding something in common with those of whom she came in contact. Shirley had a vibrant spirit, heart of gold, gentle soul, and has left an imprint on this world larger than life itself. She is deeply missed.

Shirley is also preceded in death by brother Stanley Vogler, who recently passed away from Alzheimer’s.

Shirley is survived by her loving husband and caregiver Paul, her sister Beverley (John) Thurman, and brother Michael (Betty) Vogler, daughters Donna (Robert) Simons, Diane Meister (Al Houin), and Lisa Meister; grandsons David Meister (Chelsey), Samuel Simons along with multiple nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Christ The King Church at 10:30 am on February 22, 2020. A celebration of life will follow in the St. Joseph’s Room at Christ The King School.

Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association are welcomed.