Mona Lou Dennis Shinabery, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away on September 6, at Shane Hill Nursing Home in Rockford, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born prematurely on Christmas Eve, Mona Lou arrived earlier than expected and began her life as a tiny Christmas miracle. From the very beginning, she was a fighter, and perhaps it was fitting that someone who would spend her life bringing so much love and joy to others would make her entrance into the world on a day so deeply associated with love, family, and giving.

Mona was the beloved wife of Larry, with whom she recently celebrated 55 years of marriage. Together, they built a life centered around family, love, and countless memories.

Her greatest joy in life was being mom to Travis and Janelle, mother-in-law to Christopher, and cherished grandmother to her "one and only," Gabriel, who held an especially precious place in her heart. She was also a devoted dog mom to her precious Lilly and Roscoe.

She was the mom/grandma who was always in attendance during baseball and softball games, tennis tournaments, karate matches, and marching band events. She wanted to be there to support her family, even during the times when she battled breast cancer and later in life, as her Alzheimer's diagnosis progressed.

Mona was the daughter of the late Gillis and Edna (Bailey) Dennis. She was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings, Kernal Howard, Gilda Dennis Trobridge, Kenneth Dennis I, and Carolyn Dennis Zizelman; her mother and father-in-law, Irene and Richard Shinabery; and her brother and sister-in-law, Jerry Shinabery and Sandra Shinabery Lewis. She is survived by her beloved little brother, Gary Howard.

To her many nieces and nephews, she was simply "Aunt Sis", a title she truly treasured. Mona had a special way of making everyone feel like family.

She loved nothing more than gathering her family together, especially around the holidays. She filled those gatherings with homemade cookies, cakes, and treats, and she took joy in making a birthday cake for every member of her family. These weren't simply desserts-they were expressions of her love.

Mona spent much of her early working years at Huffy Bicycle, where she became known for the same generosity that defined her personal life. Whenever a coworker and their family fell on hard times, Mona would organize fundraisers to help support them in their time of need. She also helped organize company summer picnics and Christmas parties, always finding joy in bringing people together.

Later in life, Mona worked at Auglaize Acres Nursing Home and Cheryl Ann Industries, where she helped care for people of all ages with developmental disabilities. She treasured the work she did and lovingly referred to those she cared for as "her kids". She loved reading to them, playing cards and helping them put together puzzles and especially accompanying them on outings to the zoo, Cedar Point and Kings Island, Cincinnati Reds baseball games, and other fun adventures. The happiness she saw on their faces brought her immeasurable joy.

Outside of work and family gatherings, Mona and Larry loved spending time camping. Some of their favorite memories were made at Kozy Campgrounds, where the friends they met became extended family. She and Larry cherished the laughter, friendships, and time spent together, creating memories around the campfire.

That was Mona. She was a lover and a giver. She never knew a stranger and somehow had a way of running into someone she knew wherever she went, even while on vacation as far away as Florida. Her warmth, generosity, and genuine interest in others made people feel instantly welcomed.

She gave freely, loved deeply, and never expected anything in return. Her greatest legacy will not be found in the places she worked or the things she accomplished, but in the countless lives she touched with her kindness. She leaves behind a family who will carry her love forward, memories filled with laughter and togetherness, and a lifetime of people who can say, with certainty, that knowing Mona made their lives better. She was, and always will be, deeply loved.

Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, at W. H. Dick & Sons-Hellwarth Funeral Home, 218 W. Market Street, in Celina.

Burial will follow at Mercer Memory Gardens, Celina.

Condolences may be expressed to Mona's family via: dickandsonhellwarthfh.com.