Shirley A. McElhiney85, of Hernando, FL, passed away on October 3, 2017.  Shirley was born on August 8, 1932 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was the daughter of the late John and Alma Scherrer Kirch.Shirley is survived by her beloved husband of 63 ½ years, Elwood McElhiney; her 2 daughters Mary Abbott of St. Petersburg, Florida and Kathy Ballance and her husband John of Lithia, Florida; and 4 sons John McElhiney of Weeki Wachee, Florida, Michael McElhiney, Patrick McElhiney and David McElhiney all of Indianapolis, Indiana; her brother John Kirch of Carmel, Indiana and 1 sister Alma Holloran of Indianapolis, Indiana and her 9 grandchildren.Shirley was a registered nurse for 35 years and had a very long career at St. Francis hospital in Beech Grove, Indiana.  She retired at age 73 as she loved the nursing profession.  She was liked and respected in her profession by all her co-workers and was always considered a mentor and an exceptionally hard worker. Shirley and Elwood retired and moved to Hernando in 2005 after building their dream home in Citrus Hills in 2004. Shirley's husband, children and grandchildren were the center of her life.  She loved to vacation with both family and friends and spent every summer for 40 years in Hilton Head, SC.  She and Elwood also traveled extensively over the Unites States and Caribbean.  Shirley found a new passion after she retired.  She loved to gamble and she and Elwood traveled whenever they could to Biloxi, MS for 4 and 5 day excursions.  She was easy going and generous especially with her time.  She had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh.  She will be missed greatly by her family and all her friends.Family and friends may gather at the Fero Funeral Home at 5955 N. Lecanto Highway in Beverly Hills, Florida on Friday October 13, 2017 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Scholastica Catholic Church on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 10:30 am located at 4301 W. Homosassa Trail in Lecanto, Florida. Inurnment will be in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida at a later date.The family has requested donations to St. Scholastic Catholic Church in Shirley's name in lieu of flowers.  Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Fero Funeral Home, 5955 N. Lecanto Highway in Beverly Hills, Florida.