Shirley Ann Shidler

A little before noon on Tuesday, Shirley Ann Shidler passed away peacefully surrounded by family, music and lots of love. She was one hundred years old but her soul and essence was eternally young. That was her gift to all of us, that sense of wonder and playfulness about the world that seems to ebb away as you grow older. When you were with her, you could laugh, play, sing songs, eat marshmallows and wear silly hats no matter how old you were. That was the magic of Shirley and in her love and grace, she instilled that eternal kernel of wonder in all of us. Shirley was born in Coffeyville, Kansas on November 4, 1918, to loving parents. She was the youngest of four children. Right from the get-go, she embraced life, her family, friends, and faith. As a young woman, she was involved in theatre and plays. She played field hockey and was the editor of her high school yearbook, Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan. Her spunk, kindness, wit, and humor earned her lots of friends, many whom she remained close with all her life. In her lifetime she lived through both the Great Depression and the Second World War. They were dark times and yet Shirley's spirit and faith still shined, she would not yield to the darkness. Many were drawn to her light, chief among them was a quiet, handsome, athlete named Frank Shidler. Frank met Shirley in high school. Shirley sometimes marveled that Frank "chose" her because as she would tell it, he had the pick of the litter. Of course, to the rest of the world, it was perfectly obvious why he was drawn to her...we all were! They married on May 24, 1941, and were married 69 years until Frank passed away in 2010. While Frank was off fighting the war during WW II, Shirley gave birth to their first child in Detroit, a son. Thus began her legacy as a mother. Frank and Shirley had three children: Frank Jr ("Cap"), Donna Jean and Jane Ann. She was a loving, fun and deeply devoted mother to her children, and later extended those traits as a grandmother. While her children were growing up she spearheaded parent-teacher organizations, created costumes for her kids' plays, listened to their secrets, consoled them of their fears and taught them how to be good people all the while sharing her unwavering faith in the Lord, paving the way for their own faith in God. Her example as a mother is something that has had a positive effect, on her children, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and beyond. The ripple she has caused in this great pond has gone much farther than she herself could understand or believe. She and her husband Frank loved a good adventure. They took their children to trips to Colorado where they would find peace in the mountains and fun on the slopes. They traveled across to Europe on many occasions with friends and family. They would frequently visit Mexico and loved the people, culture, and warmth of the country. In 1982 Shirley and her husband invested in Glenapp Castle in Scotland. The days at the castle were some of Shirley's most fond memories and proudest accomplishments. The child in Shirley had her wearing tiaras and she loved being "The Lady" of the castle. Shirley was also a very good poet. Her poems are legendary in her family and are still read to this day on family holidays. Her poems were witty, touching and memorable. She loved anything that sparkled, music, church, travel, sweets, a good party, her friends and above all, her family. She lived to be 100 years old but that sparkle will live on forever, in all of us. Shirley is survived by her three children Frank J. "Cap" Jr., Donna Jean Shidler Krutka and husband Larry, Jane Ann Shidler Crutchfield and husband Jim; grandchildren Christi Whitlock and husband Tom, Frank Jay Shidler III and wife Crystal, Brandon Conard and wife Rachel, Natalie Cagle and husband Chad, Lauren Brown, April Krutka and Chris Parks, Daniel Krutka and wife Kim, Andrea Corman and husband Ric, Tiffany Baker and husband Matt, Amy Junger and husband Philip; great grandchildren Connor Whitlock, Ashleigh Whitlock, Piper DuVall, Zoe DuVall, Emily Corman, Olivia Junger, Sam Baker, Bronson Shidler, Blair Shidler, Joseph Junger, James Junger, Elle Baker, Wesley Watkins, Sloan Watkins, and Harlan Watkins. A viewing will be held at Smith & Kernke Funeral Home on Friday, March 29th from 5 PM - 7 PM and a memorial service will be held at Christ the King Church on Saturday, March 30th at 10 AM.