Allison Jean Hershey

Allison Jean Hershey, age fifteen, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Benefis Hospital, in Great Falls, MT, on Tuesday, November 19, 2013.  Visitation will occur at Whitted Funeral Chapel from 1-8:00 p.m. on Friday, November, 22, 2013. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at St. William Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m.  Interment will be in Mountain View Cemetery with a reception to follow at St. William Parish Hall.  Whitted Funeral Chapel of Shelby is in charge of arrangements.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.whittedfuneralchapel.com.

Allison is survived by her mother, Diane (Snyder) Hershey of Shelby; father, Tony and step-mom, Kelli (Lewis) Hershey of Fairfield; older sisters Kayla and Alissa Hershey of Shelby; maternal grandmother, Cathy Snyder; paternal grandparents, Teresa and Dan Kaleva and paternal great-grandma, Gladys Roark, all of Shelby; paternal grandparents, Wayne and Ricci Hershey of Chino Valley, AZ; and grandparents, Gene and Darcy (Dirkes) Lewis and great-grandma, Betty Dirkes all of Fairfield.  Also surviving Allison are  aunts and uncles: Lori and Allen Stratton and Josh and Sandra Hout all of Shelby, Reno Kaleva and Sandra Durden, Steve Clark and Nikki Lewis-Clark all of Great Falls, and Chris and Kari Christensen of Fairfield; as well as cousins: Alex, Jackie, James, Sarah, Jayleigh, Tazia, Kruize, Kaylee, Quin, Cooper, Jet, and Brook.

Allison was preceded in death and welcomed with open arms into heaven by her maternal grandfather, Duane (Dewey) Snyder and paternal great-grandfather, Louis Roark, both of Shelby.

Allison was born on August 24, 1998 to loving parents, Diane and Tony, in Shelby.  Her older sisters, Kayla and Alissa, were excited to welcome their new baby sister, and from the very beginning protected Allison with a passion.  Allison attended Shelby Public Schools.  She was a member of St. Williams Catholic Church and was included in 4-H activities with her sisters.  Allison was always accompanied by her baby doll, Janessa.  She loved her snuggle time with mom, and she was a Daddy’s girl from day one.  Allison shared a special bond with her older sisters, and particularly enjoyed watching them argue, as evidenced by a big grin the moment the hollering started.  She spent many days outside gardening with her step-mom, Kelli.  She loved to get her nails done.  She had a special calming effect on animals that were drawn to her kind soul.  She enjoyed getting pushed by her cousins in her wheel chair and was a super babysitter for her little cousins.  She loved attention from her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many family friends.  Allison cherished every moment with her family.  Whether camping, four wheeling, and hot tubbing, or jammin’ out to her sister’s music, Allison enjoyed life to the fullest.  She was a trooper and a hero to her family and friends.  Allison taught so many lessons to those lucky enough to know her.  Allison never spoke a word, but said more with her eyes than any of us are ever capable of verbalizing in a lifetime.  She left footprints on the hearts of all those she met.  Rest in peace, little angel, we know you are singing, dancing, and jammin’ out in heaven like your big sissies taught you!