Dorothy Mary Sheppard (nee Schlueter), age 78, of O'Fallon, Ill., born June 9, 1930 in Belleville, Ill.; passed away Sunday evening, September 14, 2008.

Mrs. Sheppard attended Cathedral Grade School, The Academy of Notre Dame and St. John's School of Nursing in Springfield, Ill., graduating in 1952. She worked as an OB Nurse at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville, Ill., and many other hospitals during her travels with her husband while in the United States Air Force.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charley F. Sheppard, Sr., CMSgt, USAF (retired) on June 7, 2001; her parents Alphonse and Cecelia, nee Weimer, Schlueter; her son Randal and her daughter Cynthia.

Surviving are five sons, Michael (Denise) Sheppard of Seattle, Wash.; John Sheppard of O'Fallon, Ill.; Ronald (Dianna) Sheppard of Jacksonville, Ark.; Charley Sheppard, Jr. of Chicago; and Kenneth (Bethany) Sheppard, Sr. of O'Fallon; two daughters Deborah Sheppard West of O'Fallon; and Ann Marie Sheppard of O'Fallon. She is also survived by her sisters Marjorie Warman of Rogersville, Mo.; and Janet (Wilbur) Nold of Las Vegas, Nev.; and her brother Alphonse (Mary Lou) Schlueter of Mascoutah; grandchildren Mark and Nathan Sheppard of Colorado Springs, Colo.; Charlie Michelle Sheppard of St. Louis; Randall and Ryan Sheppard of Arkansas; Kenneth B. Sheppard, Jr. of O'Fallon, Ill.; Melanie and Meghan Sheppard of Seattle, Wash.; and one great grandson Gabriel Alexander Lewis.

Memorials may be made to Paralyzed Veterans of America, to enhance their quality of life, at 2235 Enterprise Dr., Suite 3501, Westchester, IL 60154. Condolences may be extended to the family by clicking the appropriate tab above.

Funeral: All services will be private. At Dorothy's request, she was cremated and a portion of her ashes was laid to rest with her husband and a portion was "set free to fly with the eagles."