Marilyn Ruth Shirey, a resident of rural Mentone, Indiana passed away quietly in Parkview Whitley Hospital under the tender care of their hospice team. Her Monday, June 4th passing was at 3:25 a.m. She was 79 years old. Marilyn was born in Plainwell, Michigan on January 3, 1939 to Harold Anderson and his wife, Helen (Kayler) Anderson.
Marilyn and her two brothers spent much of their youth in Columbia City. She graduated from Columbia City High School and attended Indiana Business College. On April 20, 1957, she was united in marriage to Junior V. Shirey.
The pair made their home in Bourbon, IN and shared nearly fifty-five years together before Junior’s passing on January 24, 2012. To their union, three sons were born: Mark, Randy and Bryan. Marilyn worked for State Farm Insurance for more than thirty-five years.
She was integral in the daily operations of the office and was licensed as an insurance agent. Marilyn enjoyed baking and flower gardening. She was a selfless, giving person who gave of her time and efforts.
She volunteered as a Lunch Buddy at Mentone Elementary and through the YMCA for various projects. She also volunteered at Faith Mission and was a longtime member of Palestine Bible Church. After the passing of her husband, Marilyn enjoyed traveling which is something they had enjoyed when their family was younger.
Her travels, several of which she shared with her sons, brought her to all corners of the United States and to Europe four different times. In addition to her husband, Junior Shirey, those who preceded Marilyn in passing include her son, Randy Shirey; brother, Don Anderson and her parents. Those who survive include her two sons: Mark (Cindy) Shirey of Warsaw and Bryan Shirey of Marietta, GA and her brother, Ralph (Shella) Anderson of Columbia City.
Also surviving are five grandchildren: Amber Shirey (husband, Zaven Papakhian) of Portland, OR, Scott Shirey (significant other, Adrienne Smalley) of Bourbon, Kyle Shirey of Austin, Texas, Taylor Stiver of Warsaw and Tanner Stiver of Warsaw. The family will receive friends for visitation and sharing of memories on Friday, June 8th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 East Sheridan Street, Warsaw. A funeral which celebrates Marilyn’s life will take place on Saturday at 11 a.m. in the funeral home with an additional visitation for one-hour prior.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw. Memorial gifts may be made to Parkview Whitley Home Health and Hospice, 1270 East State Road 205, Suite 50, Columbia City, IN 46725. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
