Darlene Fern McCaughey

Darlene Fern McCaughey, 90, of Shelbyville, passed away Thursday, December 8, 2016 at her residence. She was born November 2, 1926, in Thomson, Illinois, the daughter of Wayne Petty and Florence Carolyn (Greeley) Ashby. On August 25, 1946, she married John Emory McCaughey, and he preceded her in death on August 1, 1998. Darlene is survived by her daughter, Barbara Jo Ivie and husband, Danny, of Shelbyville; son, Craig John McCaughey of Kokomo; grandchildren, Amanda McCaughey, Brady Ivie, Robin Tillie and husband, John, and Dannette Erickson and husband, Joe; great-grandchildren, Taylor Ivie, Megan Ivie, Daniel Tillie and Dana Tillie; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Wayne Ashby, Donald Ashby and Fay Ashby. Darlene was a member of First United Methodist Church. She graduated from Thomson High School in Thomson, Illinois in 1944. Darlene received her Bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University in 1965 and her Master’s degree from Indiana University. Darlene retired from Shelbyville Middle School, as an eighth grade English teacher, having taught from 1968 to 1994. After retirement, she would often substitute teach. She was also a member of the Alpha Delta Kappa, American Association of University Women, PEO Sisterhood, Shelby County Retired Teachers Association and Sigma Kappa. Darlene enjoyed reading and working in her flowers. She was a volunteer at Bennesse Oncology, and was an 18 year cancer survivor. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016 at Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison Street in Shelbyville, and from 10 to 11 a.m. (central time) Saturday, December 17, 2016 at First United Methodist Church, 1901 Illinois Route 84 South, in Thomson, Illinois. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. (central time) at the church. Interment will be at Lower York Cemetery in Thomson. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 34 W. Washington St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176 or Blue River Community Foundation for educational scholarships, 54 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.