Obituary of Junille Glenda Shepardson

Junille (Juni) Glenda Wieting Shepardson of Rockland, Maine, passed away Saturday August 31, 2013. Juni was born in Texas on April 12, 1944, the daughter of Rev. Wilson and Viola Wieting. She is survived by many loving family members: her husband of 25 years, Jed, daughters (Tanya) Kristin Collins of Camden, ME and Tina Taylor and her wife Kristen Ripley of Maynard, MA, stepson Eric Shepardson and his wife Magda of Jackson, MS, grandchildren Josh Dean, Zachary Collins, and AJ Collins of Camden, Lindsey Shepardson of Owensboro, KY and Natalie Shepardson of Jackson, MS, brother David Wieting and his wife Nancy of Fredricksburg, TX, sisters Vivian Wieting White and her husband Don of Conroe, TX and Ruth Wieting and her husband Håkan Joelson of Umea, Sweden, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Juni received a bachelor's degree in English from Texas Wesleyan College in Fort Worth, TX in 1966, a master’s degree of Religious Education from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX in 1971 and a M. Div Equivalent from Bangor Theological Seminary in 2001. In her years as a pastor in the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, she served the congregation of People's UMC in South Thomaston (2000-2008). Juni officially retired from the ministry in 2008, but had the opportunity to serve two more congregations as minister of visitation and as part of a team ministry with her dear friend and colleague Linda Campbell-Marshall: Randolph & East Pittston 2011-2012 and Aldersgate UMC in Camden 2012-2013. In her retirement, Juni was also active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockland. She started her own copyediting business, Mainely Editing. Before entering the ministry, Juni worked many years at Crandall, Hanscom, Pease and Collins, People Heritage Bank, Camden-Rockport High School, and Bay Chamber Concerts. She was also a member of the Board of Directors for the Methodist Conference Home in Rockland. Juni shared her talents in organization and planning as a volunteer at Penbay Medical Center and Midcoast Habitat for Humanity, along with many other churches and organizations. Juni found great joy in so many endeavors. Since her childhood, Juni enjoyed making music as a member of church choirs, bands, singing solos and at private concerts, and playing the tympani. She directed the John Street UMC choir in Camden and the Windjammers Barbershop Chorus, and played percussion for the Mid Coast Community Band. Juni collaborated with her long-time friend Betty Bilodeau to write a book about the band, entitled “…And the Band Plays On”. Juni taught adult education classes in grammar, punctuation, and the English language in Camden and Rockland. Juni had lunch dates almost every day of the week, and kept in regular touch with countless relatives and friends near and far. She loved to be creative with sewing, quilting, and crochet. Juni loved Mexican food, and always looked for an opportunity to eat at the Sunfire Mexican Grill in Rockland. She enjoyed drinking ice tea or Dr. Pepper every day of the week. On Sundays during football season, she could be found at home cheering loudly for the New England Patriots and Texas A&M. When football season was over, she watched the Red Sox, Dancing with the Stars, and March Madness with equal enthusiasm. Every year, Juni looked forward to a day trip with her daughters, Tina and Kristin, to the Jordan Pond House at Acadia National Park for tea and popovers. She made time regularly for “sibling phone calls” and lengthy email updates with David, Vivian and Ruth. Juni was a passionate shopper, happily joining Kris and her boys on Saturday morning for groceries and other shopping errands. She and grandson Zac always stopped at Burger King for lunch when they were out on errands, and she was always delighted to meet Tina in Freeport. Juni could never get enough time with her grandchildren! “Memom”, as she was called, loved to cuddle with them in fuzzy fleece blankets. She took advantage of every opportunity to attend sporting events such as soccer, basketball, baseball, golf, swimming, and wrestling. She would travel to see Natalie, her youngest granddaughter, perform on the stage. Family and friends are invited to call from 3 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 8th at Peoples United Methodist Church, 13 Chapel St, South Thomaston, ME. A celebration of life memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 9th at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockland, 345 Broadway (Route 1A), Rockland ME. A reception will follow the service. The service can be viewed live via WebCam at the following link, which is accessible starting 9:30am on Monday: http://islandinstitute.adobeconnect.com/kristincollins/ With Juni's love of music we are requesting that poeple submit to us the name of a song that remind them of Juni. We'll compile the songs and select a few to sing at the service. We've elected to only have family sharing at the service, but we know there are so many of you that might want to share something as well. So please share you memories here, and we may select a few funny stories to share at her service as well. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The People's United Methodist Church, South Thomaston, The Unitarian Universalist Church of Rockland, Aldersgate United Methodist Church (15 Wesley Lane, Rockland Maine 04841) or the Mid Coast Community Band (http://www.midcoastcommunityband.com/).