Shirley J. Gilson

Shirley J. Gilson, age 84, of Washington, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, September 25, 2018 at the M.L. McCreedy Home following a short illness. Celebration of life services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, October 1, 2018 at Faith Baptist Church in Washington with Don Ruffenach officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. at Faith Baptist Church Monday morning. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday at Union Cemetery in Guthrie County, Iowa. A memorial has been established for the Faith Baptist Church Compassion Fund. Online condolences may be sent for Shirley's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Shirley was born January 12, 1934 in Chadron, Nebraska, the daughter of Paul and Bessie (Dunlap) Mason. She graduated from high school in Portland, Oregon. Shirley was united in marriage to Ernest Gilson on February 27, 1954 in London, England. Shirley spent most of her life in Oregon. She was a civilian working for the United States Air Force when she met her future husband in London, England. Following Ernest's time in the service, they moved to Maryville, Missouri. They also resided in Lawrence, Kansas, Portland, Oregon and Fairfax, Missouri, and Bayard, Iowa where Shirley worked as a CNA at the Bayard Care Center for 26 years. She was involved in caring for people at the care center who did not have family, inviting many to holiday dinners. She was a member of the Bayard Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School and was active in youth activities. Shirley moved to Washington, Iowa in 2004 and was a member of Faith Baptist Church. She is survived by her son, Kirby (Vicki) Gilson of Urbandale, IA; daughter, Janel (Allen) Brush of Ainsworth, IA; six grandchildren: Joel (Indy) Gilson of Ankeny, IA; Courtney Gilson of Urbandale, IA; Chad Gilson of Urbandale, IA; Nicole Gilson of Ames, IA; McKayla Brush of Ainsworth, IA; and Tori Brush of Ainsworth, IA; two great-grandchildren: Merrik and Tatum; and sister, Nadine (Rick) Duffield of Oregon City, OR. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Ernest; son, Ric; brother, Wendell Mason; and sister, Betty Mendenhall.