Eunice Marlene Shuman

Eunice “Marlene” Shuman, 83,  passed away in the early morning hours of May 14, 2022 at Westgate Manor in Bangor, Maine.  She was the wife of Richard L. Shuman.They shared 29 and a half beautiful years of marriage together and thirteen children between them. Born in Peoria, Illinois on October 11, 1938, she was the daughter of Earl L. Esman and Ella Marie Gregory.   She graduated from Grand Prairie High School in Texas.

During her life, she worked as a secretary in many facets, ITO Corporation, El Paso Natural Gas Executive Secretary, and Shuman Grass Farm.

She was a member of The First Baptist Church of Crosby, Texas  and Gideons International. She enjoyed arts and crafts, cooking, painting lighthouses, flowers and landscapes, gardening, canning, handywoman activities, sewing, knitting, wall papering, tiling floors, knocking down walls and putting them back together. She never let anything get in her way. She inspired her children to do the same. She made the best homemade Halloween costumes for her seven children and they always won the contests.  She loved country and western music.  Johnny Cash was one of her favorites. Close to the end of her life and dealing with dementia, “I walk the line” would move her to tap her feet to the music. She loved her ice cream.  Marlene and Richard believed that ice cream was good for the soul. They always made it a special treat with their families.  Marlene raised her seven children of which the youngest were twins, along the coast of Maine.  They spent a lot of time boating on their 56 ft. yacht, “Je Suis Pres” and camping on Sears Island.  Family songs around the campfire were often, and included “Country Roads,  Me and Bobby McGee,  Joy to the World, and Jeremiah was a Bullfrog!  There was lots of fishing for cod and mackerel and filling up the well decks of the boat. Holidays and family were important to her. The fourth of July was a grand celebration of boating, and camping with a grand feast of salmon, peas, corn on the cob, potatoes, and of course her famous homemade strawberry shortcake. She lived in Crosby, Texas for over 30 years.  There were lots of family parties involving the thirteen children and all their families at their home in Crosby.  The white elephant parties at Thanksgiving and Christmas involved her beautiful paintings as the grand prize that everyone wanted to get.

Richard and Marlene traveled all over the world.  They took lots of cruises where they were both the craft directors for the cruise. And Richard helped!Marlene had a mission to visit all 50 states in the United States. She took a trip with her daughter, Sonja and husband, Andy to last state that she needed, North Dakota.They drove miles through cornfields to take a picture in front of the North Dakota sign for all of ten minutes. She was complete.

Richard and Marlene spent half the year in Crosby, Texas and half the year in Honolulu, Hawaii.  She loved Hawaii. Marlene loved to go hiking, sightseeing, and cruises. She even went ziplining with her son Kevin at the age of 76 years old! Marlene was adventurous and loved to try new things.  She inspired her children to do the same.

Marlene was an amazing woman, mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and friend. She made such an impact in our lives and helped so many people.  She will be sadly missed.  We will always carry you in our hearts, until we meet again.  “The answers are found in the love that she left behind”

Marlene was predeceased by her loving husband of 29 years, Richard L. Shuman,her son, Keith G. Fraser, her brother, Ronnie Esman, her brother, Earl Esman, and stepson, Donnie Shuman.

She is lovingly remembered by

Her son, Jack Fraser & wife Sue of Stockton Springs, Maine

Her daughter, Sonja and husband, Andy of Cotopaxi, Colorado

Her son, Brian Fraser and wife Robin of Northport, Maine

Her son, Doug Fraser and wife Jamie of Searsport, Maine

Her daughter, Lisa and husband Charles of Mesa, Arizona

Her son, Kevin Fraser of Crosby, Texas

Her daughter-in-law, Melyssa Fraser of Queen Creek, Arizona

Diana Gorman, always a daughter-in-law

Her sister, Chris Ruport of Galveston, Texas

Her sister-in-law, Joyce Esman of Houston, Texas

Her Stepchildren:

Rick & Toni Shuman,

John & Becky Bowling

Ronnie Shuman & Shelly

Peggy Shuman

David & Jackie Shuman,

Randy & Cindy Nettles

Her Aunt Evelyn & Uncle Al Dorich,

Many cousins, nieces, and nephews: Brenda, Ron, David, Joey, Debbie, Danielle, Suzie.

Her grandchildren: Jack H. Fraser, Ian Fraser, Bradley Fraser, Daryl Jezierski & wife Megan, Ryan Jezierski & wife Cassie, Sara Jezierski & Evan Ward, Misty Fraser Bachelder & husband, Kevin, Chad Fraser & wife Amanda, Clint Fraser, Belle Yeo and husband, Spencer,  Jillian Wight and husband, Garrett, Troy Fraser, Devyn Talgo, Sean, Danny, Grace Chapman & husband, Chris, Beth Fraser & James Dahnk, Kenneth Fraser, Katelyn Fraser.

Many great grandchildren: Devin, Maleah, Tyler, Emma, Valeri, Corvan, Zoey, Katie, Hadley, Emma, Oaklan, Sophia, Elaina, Hudson, Ayla, Faith, and Aurora.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022 from 5:00 p.m until 8:00 p.m at Sterling-White Funeral Home, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Road, Highlands, Texas 77562. 

Services will be held at Sterling-White Funeral home on Friday, May 27, 2022 at 9 a.m.

Pallbearers:  Jack Fraser, Brian Fraser, Doug Fraser, Kevin Fraser, Rick Shuman, & David Shuman

And burial at VA National Cemetery,

Friday, May 27, 2022 at 11 a.m.

10410 Veterans Memorial Drive,

Houston, Tx 77038

281-447-8686

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made:

The Alzheimer’s Association or

Constellation Hospice

46 Beton St.

Brewer, Maine 04412

207-217-4916

*A special thanks to the staff at Westgate Manor, Bangor, Maine.

Click here to view a webcast of the service on 5/27/2022 at 08:55 AM, Central Standard Time.