Constance Eileen (Shirar) Manship

Constance Eileen (Shirar) Manship was called home into eternity by her Lord Jesus Christ, thru natural causes, at age 93, in the early hours of September 28, 2025.

Born May 31, 1932, in Howard Township, Eastern Howard County, Indiana along with her twin brother Conrad Eugene Shirar, with whom she remained close until his death. She was born to Gerald Edwin and Mereta Carlisle (Sapp) Shirar. Connie graduated from Kokomo High School in 1950 and received B.S. and M.S. degrees in Education from Indiana University in 1954 and 1974, respectively.

She married Harry Earl Manship, Jr., on June 17, 1956, in Kokomo, Indiana.

She taught at Pettit Park, Lincoln, and Western Elementary Schools before retiring in 1996 with 37 ½ years of experience.  She loved every student and every minute of her time in the classroom.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Kokomo for 60 years participating in choir, as a Bible School Teacher, and Sunday School Teacher. Since 2008, she attended ConneXion Church, Builders Class and Joy Fellowship.

She loved music of all kinds and traveling with her family, be it by air, RV, car, or sitting on a jug in the back of a truck with the peahens.  She loved IU Basketball, Colts, Pacers, doing genealogy, attending reunions, collecting bells and angels, taking pictures, and keeping up with friends and family via telephone.

Immediate surviving family members include son, Gerald Thomas Manship of Kokomo; daughter, Janice Eileen (Daniel) Browning of San Antonio, TX; son, Harry Curtis (Laura) Manship of Bristol, IN; daughter, Brenda Kay (Dan) McBay of Summerfield, NC; and son, Richard Todd Manship of Indianapolis, IN.  Three grandchildren, Patrick (Jessica) Browning of San Antonio, TX; Chelsea (Conlan) Sherman of Greensboro, NC, and Kimmee McBay of Summerfield, NC.  Sisters, Sheila Sue Ross of Moorpark, CA and Cora Jephaline Conwell of Kokomo, IN; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, and sister Lana Janelle (Jerry) Gunning.

A special thank you to Michelle and Ciara from Medi Hospice and Mom’s primary caregivers Twenika and Maureen who displayed extraordinary love, kindness, and care.  We are so appreciative.

Funeral service will be held at 1:00 pm Monday, October 6, 2025, at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Dick Shirar officiating.  Entombment will follow in Sunset Memory Garden Cemetery.  Friends are invited to visit with the family from 11 am until 1 pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Connie’s memory to ConneXion Church in Kokomo. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com. 

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