Shirley J. Nation, 85, of Wellsville, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at Boone Hospital in Columbia.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 8, 2025 at the Church of the Resurrection in Wellsville, 409 East Bates Street, Wellsville, Missouri 63384. Burial will follow at the Resurrection Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Myers Funeral Home in Wellsville.

Shirley was born on October 31, 1939 in Steedman, Missouri. She was the daughter of Paul and Martha (Farley) Heying.  On August 11, 1961 she married Don Martin who passed on September 11, 1961.  On June 27, 1964 in O'Fallon, she married John Nation Jr., who preceded her in death on July 7, 2009.

Shirley was a member of the Church of the Resurrection in Wellsville. Prior to marrying Johnny, she worked for Reliable Life Insurance in St. Louis.

She was modest by nature, but full of surprises. She had a spirit of adventure. Before her 60th birthday, she went sky diving. As a young woman she worked toward earning her private pilot's license and flew solo to the state of Louisiana.

Shirley had a deep love for family and history. She was the go-to person for family genealogy—if you had a question, Aunt Shirley had the answer. Her passion for preserving stories and photos made her the family historian, a role she embraced fully. She was also very involved with the Montgomery County Historical Society and gifted her children and grandchildren with lifetime membership. She had also been an active member of the Studere-GFWC since 1965.

She loved quilting, tending to her flowers, and taking care of her home. In 1980, she and Johnny moved a house from inside Wellsville out to the farm, and she spent years lovingly remodeling it. Her home was filled with family antiques and treasured keepsakes, and she was always proud to show it off to anyone who stopped by. You would often find her at the quilt frame in the family room working on a quilt. She hand-quilted several quilts, and ensured each of her children and grandchildren had a quilt from her.

More than anything, Shirley loved her family. She especially looked forward to visits from her grandkids, which always brought a special joy to her days. She lived a life rooted in tradition, curiosity, and quiet strength—and leaves behind a legacy full of love, history, and adventure.

Survivors include one son, David Nation (Katie Schuh) of Wellsville; one daughter, Christine DeTienne (Richard) of Wellsville; three grandchildren, Dustin Nation (Lauren) of Missoula, Montana, Josh DeTienne (Morgan) of Wellsville, and  Devon Bethel (Kale) of Wellsville; two great grandchildren, Camden Bethel and Lily DeTienne; one sister, Phyllis Randoph (Lonnie) of Foristell, one brother-in-law and sister-in-law Bob  & Caroline Nation of Martinsburg; one sister-in-law Linda Nation of Wellsville; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Shirley was preceded in death by one brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth Heying and Elaine Heying; and numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law from the Nation family.

The family requests memorial donations be made to the Montgomery County Historical Society Memorials may be sent in care of Myers Funeral Home, 203 E. Bates, Wellsville, MO 63384.