SHIRLEY CARLTON WARNSHUIS, PORT JERVIS, NEW YORK

Shirley Carlton Warnshuis, age 83, a lifelong resident of Port Jervis, NY, passed away on Friday, February 6, 2009, at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis, NY.Shirley was born July 17, 1925, at 15 Kingston Ave., Port Jervis, NY, the daughter of the late John and Grace McGaw Merkenschlager. She graduated from Port Jervis High School and married Robert Carlton in 1943.Following Robert's infantry service during World War II, the couple built their own home on North Orange St., in Port Jervis. Together they owned and operated The Carlton Jewelry Store across from the Erie Hotel. Having raised her family, Shirley entered nursing school at the age of 49 and graduated four years later as an RN. When she received her pin at the graduation ceremony, the person behind her in line was her son, Steven, who had attended the nursing program at the same time as Shirley. She retired from The Orange County Home and Infirmary at Goshen, NY, after many years of nursing. Shirley was deeply involved as a member and Deacon of the First Presbyterian Church, Port Jervis, for over 50 years and a member of the lunch bunch of the church.Shirley's first husband, Robert Carlton, died in 1993, just six months short of their 50th wedding anniversary. Following a three-year whirlwind romance, Shirley married Patrick Warnshuis from Portland, OR in 1999. The wedding took place at the First Presbyterian Church, with a glorious reception at the Eddy Farm Hotel.She is survived by her husband at home, Patrick Warnshuis; three sons: Robert Carlton, Jr. and his wife, Marge of Daytona, FL, Gerald Carlton and his wife, Blanche of Westbrookville, NY, and Steven Carlton and his wife, Connie of Kinston, NC; her daughter, Elaine Mills and her husband, Randy of Port Jervis, NY; 17 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her daughter-in-law, Mary Grace Carlton of Port Jervis; two sisters, Beatrice Smith of Port St. Lucie, FL and Ethel Osterhoudt of Montgomery, NY; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Michael J. Carlton.Friends may call Tuesday, February 10, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY.Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, February 11, at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, Port Jervis, with The Rev. Stephen Huston officiating. Interment will be private.Memorial contributions may be made to Safe Homes of Orange County, PO Box 674, Newburgh, NY 12551.Arrangements by Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send condolences, please call 845-856-3312 or visit Knight-Auchmoody.com.