William Joseph Shrum

William Joseph Shrum, 87, of Elizabethtown, died Monday, Feb. 20, 2012, at Hardin Memorial Hospital.

A native of Missouri, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a retired firefighter for the City of Elizabethtown. He was in the first class of EMTs in Hardin County and started working for Hardin County EMT before working for the fire department.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Hawkins Shrum; his parents, Harold Orlando Shrum and Ethel Ann Moody Lloyd; one brother, Harold L. Shrum; and a half sister, Frances Russell.

He is survived by three daughters, Anita Miller and Gail Vessels, both of Elizabethtown, and Debbie (David) Light of Davenport, Fla.; one son, Clyde William Shrum of Davenport, Fla.; one brother, James Shrum of Kingsman, Ariz.; six grandchildren, Danita Miller, Kendra Miller, Christina (Casey) Stansbury, Jeremy Vessels, Melissa Vessels and Joe (Alicia) Light; and two great-grandchildren, Michael Miller and Brennan Stansbury.

The funeral was Thursday at Brown Funeral Home in Elizabethtown with the Rev. Michael Gibbons officiating. Burial was in Hardin Memorial Park.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the donor’s favorite charity.

Condolences may be expressed at www.brownfuneral.com.