Shirley A. Vandeveer

Frankenmuth, MI

After a short fight with cancer, Shirley Ann Vandeveer passed away at home on Friday, December 3, 2021, surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born July 11, 1935, to Russell and Betty Royer of Troy, Ohio. She joins them and her brother Edwin in heaven; a brother, Robert, survives her--as do many nieces and nephews. Shirley grew up in Troy and attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She married her life-long friend and high school sweetheart, Jerry Vandeveer, on August 25, 1955. He predeceased her in July of 2020. During the early years of their married life, they called military bases throughout the country "home" while Jerry served in the U.S. Air Force. They would later reside with their growing family in five other states throughout their 64 years together before finally settling down in Frankenmuth on a homestead affectionately called the "Vanderosa" by family and friends.

Four children and nine grandchildren were proud to call her "Mom" and "Grandma". They are: Thomas Vandeveer of Frankenmuth, Steven and Jean (Urbaniak) Vandeveer of Elk Rapids and their children Sydney, Zach and Josh; Kipp and Lynne (Vandeveer) Ivey of Marquette and their children Luke (Ellie), Noah, Nate, and Becca; and Jeffrey and Carmen (Marcos) Vandeveer of St. Charles, Illinois and their children Katie and Ryan. Shirley was overjoyed to meet her first great grandchild, Clara Ivey, just weeks before her passing.

"Mrs. V", as decades of area children called her, relished in her long-time role as head teacher at the Frankenmuth United Methodist Church Preschool and Vassar Community Preschool Co-op. She later served as Educational Director of Kinder Haus Childcare Center in Frankenmuth. She was an active volunteer alongside her husband in the Civic Events Council's Bavarian Festival and the Clam and Lobster Fest sponsored by the Johnny Burke Children's Foundation. Shirley was a member of the United Methodist Church in Frankenmuth. Her greatest community contribution was through her constant love, support and encouragement to her children and grandchildren in their individual endeavors—both large and small.

She will be long remembered for her famous molasses cookies, her fondness for entertaining, her voluminous cookbook collection and her love of a challenging puzzle. The warmth and welcome of her home epitomized the love she had for her family and dear friends. Shirley was often found with a book in hand, and memorials in her honor may be sent to the James E. Wickson Memorial Library (359 S. Franklin St., Frankenmuth MI 48734), where she was a devoted patron. The family will be holding an interment and celebration of life in the spring of 2022.