1933-2025
Martha Susan Huelsmann passed away at home on January 25, 2025 after a long and amazing life at the age of 91. Susan was born on June 6, 1933 in Freelandville, IN to the late Martha Wanda and Forrest Pierson Shepherd. Susan lived in Graysville, IN, McLeansboro, IL and Carmi, IL before moving to the Warren Petroleum Oil Company Camp outside of Crossville, IL in 4th grade. She attended Clede Hughes one room school house and graduated from Crossville High School in 1949. Susan and Ray lived in Carmi, after they were married in 1954, from 1954-1963 when they moved to Phillipstown, IL living next door to her parents. She worked at Superior Oil Company, Crossville, IL and owned the Jack and Jill clothing shop, Carmi, before a long career at GE in Mt. Vernon, IN from 1968-1994. Along with her mother and daughters, she ran the Lemon Tree Ice Cream Parlor in New Harmony, IN from 1972-1979. Susan and Ray lived in Phillipstown until moving to New Harmony in 2004.
Susan was an avid learner, traveler, gardener, quilter, golfer and reader. She earned a full scholarship to the University of Illinois but returned home and attended classes at Wabash Jr. College and took many University classes throughout her lifetime. Her brother-in-law, Ed Huelsmann (desc.) - Carmi, said that she had read every book in the Carmi Library. Susan was a member of the garden club in Carmi and one of the first garden club members in New Harmony. She was also a member of the Grayville, IL quilt guild. Susan loved to travel with her family, especially her grandchildren, and had been to five of the seven continents. She was one of the first women school board members at Crossville Community High School and a board member of the Carmi Country Club. In retirement she was a docent at the Evansville, IN art museum and a historic guide in New Harmony. People in New Harmony will fondly remember Susan cruising around New Harmony in her golf cart with her favorite buddy, Winston and enjoying conversations and coffee with all her friends in New Harmony.
Susan is preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Raymond Henry Huelsmann and brothers, William Bruce Shepherd (Janet desc,) - Evansville, IN and David Shepherd - Florida.
Surviving Susan are her daughters, M. Ann Huelsmann - New Harmony and Sharon Endicott (Lynn Heerman) - St. Louis, MO, her grandchildren, Nathaniel Endicott (Sarah Park) - Washington DC, Madeline Grimm (Michael Berra) - Nashville, TN, Greyson Grimm - Tinley Park, IL, Ana Heerman and Alex Heerman (Natalie) - St. Louis. Her brothers Don Shepherd - Rockport, IN and Michael (Joyce) Shepherd - Winter Haven, FL.
Please join us in celebrating her life on February, 8, 3:00-5:00, followed by a service at Werry Funeral Home, 615 Brewery St., New Harmony. A private family burial will take place at the Phillipstown Cemetery on the 9th. Donations can be made to the New Harmony Garden Club (POBox 244) and Murphy Park (POBox 340) New Harmony, IN 47631.
