Emily Jo (Anderson) Eitniear

Mrs. Emily Jo Eitniear, 37, of Rothbury, passed away Saturday, September 17, 2022.  She was born August 7, 1985, in Shelby, the daughter of Wayne and Amy (Henrickson) Anderson.

Emily was best known for her radiant smile, engaging eyes and kind spirit. Many will remember her as a daughter, sister, friend, aunt, mentor, coach and librarian. Some may know her as all those things. The title she held most dearly was Mom. Emily lit up whenever she talked about each of her three boys. She brightened the life of many members of the community and was always ready with words of encouragement when they were needed most.

An avid reader and gifted storyteller, Emily shared her love of books through her thirteen years as Library Administrator with Shelby Public Schools and nine years as a Librarian at the Shelby Area District Library. She loved working with kids and the kids loved her. She started her time at Shelby schools in the high school and ended in the elementary school.  During COVID, when the students couldn't have "normal library" time, she made sure they still had access to books by lugging a book cart all over the school, up and down the stairs, and then washed and sanitized them after each use. She put so much time and effort into engaging young readers and encouraging a love of reading in the students. Students used the words kind, caring, funny and beautiful to describe Emily. She made reading fun and engaging for all ages and was always ready with a book recommendation.  She was very involved and excited about the new Shelby Public Schools elementary library.  

Emily was passionate about cheerleading and competed in both competitive and sideline cheer in high school. She was involved in the first years of the competitive cheer program at Shelby High School.  The team went to the State Finals her senior year of high school.  After high school she turned her passion to coaching and was the Shelby High School sideline and competitive cheer Coach for eleven years and a cheer judge for twelve. Emily may not have been cheering in front of the crowd anymore, but as a coach she was the number one cheerleader for each of her cheerleaders, who knew “Coach E” as a true mentor and friend.  Even after she stopped coaching she was a sounding board for the coaches, athletes, and judges all over West Michigan.  

Emily is survived by her: husband, Matthew Eitniear; children, Blake, Weston and Emmett; parents, Wayne and Amy Anderson; sister, Kayla (Andrew) Dennert; brother, Bryan (Anna) Anderson; in-laws, Timothy and Anna Eitinear and Anita Williams; grandparents, Patsy Henrickson, Delores Eitniear; Matt's siblings and their spouses, Loren (Shannon) Kelsey, Jorge (Margarita) Hernandez, Nina Kelsey Antcliff, Joe (Richael) Eitniear, Jeff Eitniear, Amber (Chad Warner) Rumsey and Michael (Kaitlin) Rumsey; many nieces and nephews.

Emily was preceded in death by: grandparents, Howard Henrickson, Milton and Violet Anderson.

A celebration of Emily's life will be held Saturday, September 24, 2022, from 1 pm until 4 pm, at the Harris Funeral Home, 267 N. Michigan Avenue, Shelby Michigan 49455.  A luncheon will follow at the fellowship hall of the Shelby Congregational United Church of Christ, 51 E. Third Street, Shelby Michigan 49455.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the "Go fund me" account that has been established for the boy's future or consider a memorial donation to the Shelby Elementary Library, make your check out to "Shelby Public Schools".

The Harris Funeral Home, in Shelby, is in charge of arrangements.

www.harrisfhome.com

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