Shelby Jean (Hermeling) Marra

Shelby Jean Marra, 87, formerly of Staunton, IL, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Meridian Village Memory Care in Glen Carbon, IL.  She was born February 8, 1938 in Nashville, IL, the daughter of the late Harold & Martha (Schneider) Hermeling.  She married Edward "Buck" Marra on June 8, 1963 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Nashville, IL & he preceded her in death.

Shelby graduated from Nashville High School in 1956 & went on to attend St. Paul's College graduating with an Associates Degree in Teaching in 1958.  She continued her education & achieved a Bachelors in Education from McKendree University in 1968.  She always loved being a student & went on to receive her Masters in Teaching from Blackburn College in 1993.

She began her teaching career in 1958 at Zion Lutheran School in Staunton, IL.  Shelby was only 20 years old when she began teaching a combined class of 5th & 6th graders.  While at Zion, she taught everything including Art, Music, & PE.  She also coached Junior High cheerleading & track.

In 1965 she took a 5th grade position in Bethalto Unit 8 School System.  During her time in Bethalto, she taught her largest class of 48 students.

She went to Staunton Unit 6 Schools in 1968 teaching 6th grade Math & Language Arts.  She was known for producing plays every year with her 6th graders.  During her last years, she was a high school cheerleading coach.

She retired from full-time teaching in 2003 after 45 years of teaching.  While she may have retired from teaching school, she never quit teaching.

Shelby always knew she was going to be a teacher.  As a toddler, she would teach her dolls & from there went on to teach her younger brother & sister how to read prior to starting school.  Her four grandchildren were her favorite pupils.  Everyday after school, she required them to sit around the dining room table while she assisted & supervised the completion of their homework & studying for tests.  Her favorite job was being a Grandma.  She loved chauffeuring them to & from school, orthodontist appointments, & other school activities.

Her last years were spent at Meridian Memory Care in Glen Carbon, IL.  The family would like to thank everyone at Meridian Memory Care for the exceptional care they provided her.

She is survived by her only child -  Shelli (Kelly) Brown of Edwardsville, IL;  four grandchildren -  Adam (Sabrina) Cook of St. Louis, MO,  Sophia Cook of Edwardsville, IL,  &  Grace & Rachel Brown, both of Edwardsville, IL;  her brother -  Dean (Dottie) Hermeling of Loveland, CO;  & one niece -  Heather (John) Hanson of Loveland, CO.  Besides her husband & parents, she was preceded in death by one sister -  Charlene Hermeling.

Friends may call from 3 to 6 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL.  Funeral services will be held at 6 PM on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton, IL, with Pastor Phil Girardin officiating.  Private burial will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton, IL.

Memorials are suggested to the Staunton Education Foundation.  To order flowers or leave an on-line condolence, please visit our website at www.williamsonfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shelby Jean (Hermeling) Marra, please visit our floral store.