JAMES E. SHIRLEY

VeteranJames Shirley

James E. Shirley, 88, of Astoria died at 8:20 a.m. June 19, 2009, at Astoria Gardens & Rehab Center.

He was born April 5, 1921, in Havana, a son of James and Lillie Belle Lippert Shirley. He married Rosemary Hamblin on Dec. 6, 1946, in Havana. She died March 29, 2008.

He also was preceded in death by one son, Jeff Shirley; two brothers, Roy and Merritt Shirley; and six sisters, Robena Akridge, Bertha Lacey, Louella Scherer, Fern Jones, Nora Shirley and Nina Shirley.

Surviving are two daughters, Peggy (and Robert) Spencer of Astoria and Kathie (and Phil) Collins of Ipava; two sons, Ted Shirley of Macomb and Mike (and Donna) Shirley of Astoria; 14 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was in the U.S. Army during World War II and Korea and also served in the Army Reserves.

He worked at Havana National Bank for 15 years, U.S. Post Office in Havana, Astoria Fibra-Steel Plant and was a crossing guard and custodian at Astoria School District.

He was a minister at Browning Christian Church for two years, Summum Christian Church for two years and Bader Christian Church for 29 years.

He was a member of Astoria American Legion Post #25, where he served as Chaplain for over 30 years, Bader Christian Church and Astoria Christian Church.

Services were held Monday at Bader Christian Church with Matt Haberman and Gary Sheets officiating. Burial was in Astoria Cemetery with military rites conducted by Astoria American Legion Post #25. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria was in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be made to Astoria American Legion Post #25, Bader Christian Church or Astoria Christian Church.

 

Published in the Astoria South Fulton Argus on 6/24/2009