Shirley Himes

Shirley Himes(Merrill/Aukes/East): Shirley, age 82, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 14, 2017. Shirley was born April 30, 1935 to Harry and Irene Merrill in Covert, MI. She was the eighth of eleven children. After her first husband died, she worked for The Upjohn Co. for many years. Shirley loved to sing and often sang in church and for weddings. She always adored children and was always happiest when she had a baby to cuddle. She was a life-time member of The Salvation Army and enjoyed singing on the Songsters, attending Women's Ministry, and crocheting blankets for the personal needs pantry. She also taught Sunday School and Sunbeams. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard Aukes, and her son, Benjamin East, four brothers and four sisters. She is survived by her husband, William Himes, son Chris (Judy) Aukes, daughters Jane (Joel) Clark and Wendy (Bill) Boettger, stepsons William (Linda) Himes Jr., David (Diane) Himes, and Steven Himes, stepdaughters Ruth (Al) Rowland, Cathy (Don) Wyatt, and Cheryl (Ted) Tolcher, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well as her sister Gerry (Herb) Payne and brother Russell Merrill. A memorial service will be held at The Kalamazoo Salvation Army on October 28th at 11am. The family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Salvation Army.