Mary Elma Foreman-Chandler

Mary Elma Foreman – Chandler Born in Bradford, OH on Apr 2, 1914 Died Feb 24, 2010 in San Antonio TX Mary Elma Foreman Chandler, born Mary E. Shellenberger ended a long and very interesting life, just six weeks short of her 96th Birthday. Mary was born on April 2, 1914, at her parent's home in Bradford, OH. The second child of Marion Ellis and Lottie DuBois Shellenberger. The young family moved to Rocky Ford when Mary was 5 years old and her older brother Rodney was 8. Mary almost lost her mother to Cholera shortly after the move. Later, the family moved to Pueblo, Colo. where her father worked for the D&RGW railroad. Mary & Rodney attended Lincoln Elementary School. Mary graduated from Central High school in the class of 1932. Many of her classmates served and many perished in WWII. She attended all of the class reunions until there were too few class members left.. Early on, Mary learned to play the piano. She worked as a sales clerk at the Crews Beggs department store in Pueblo in order to buy her own piano. She recited stories of riding the Pueblo trolley cars to and from work during blinding dust storms. She became an accomplished musician and was commonly recruited to play the organ or piano at many churches, including Bruner Park Evangelical United Brethren Church, St. Paul Methodist, Prairie Ave. Baptist church and many more. Mary was generous with her talents and often donated her services for weddings, church services, and special events. She always encouraged and often accompanied her sons Jon and Joe during their high school years as they developed their musical skills. On September 19, 1935, Mary married Peter R. Foreman at Mesa Presbyterian Church. Together, they raised their four boys, LeRoy Ellis, Peter Alden, Jon Richard, and Joe Robert. Mary was involved as a Cub Scout den mother, member of PTA, DAR, White Shrine, Navy Mothers, March of Dimes Against Polio, and several animal protection organizations. She taught Sunday school, conducted Good News Clubs for Child Evangelism, and was involved with MYF. She won ribbons and awards at the Colorado State Fair for her baking and beautiful knitting and crocheting. Mary was preceded in death by her father, Marion Ellis Shellenberger, born 1889, her mother Lottie DuBois, born 1888, her husband of 53 years, Peter R. Foreman, her husband of 4 years, Harley Chandler and her brother, Rodney Shellenberger. Mary will be missed by her four sons, LeRoy E. Foreman of Oklahoma City, Peter A. Foreman of Aurora, CO, Jon R. Foreman of San Antonio, TX and Joe R. Foreman of Monument, CO, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Online condolences, wwwMontgomerySteward.com