Shirley Deming

Shirley June Deming, age 99 of Kalamazoo, died on May 5, 2025. She was born on June 9, 1925, in Sandusky, Ohio, the daughter of Rex and Eve (Seals) Wilcox. In 3rd grade, Shirley developed a love for tap dancing. With her father's help in building the "box act", Shirley began performing standing on her head and tap dancing on the ceiling of the box. She won many competitions and performed at Kellogg Auditorium. From a young age, she also began attending Detroit Tigers games and was a lifelong #1 fan. Shirley was a 1943 graduate of Coldwater High School. Along with husband, Charles Holben, she co-owned and operated Holben Pharmacy on Portage Road. She managed the soda fountain, ice cream shop and grill at the pharmacy. Shirley also worked as a salesclerk for RJ Venner Jewelry and in the women's clothing department of Gilmore's Department Store on the Kalamazoo Mall. A longtime member of Portage First United Methodist Church, Shirley enjoyed teaching Sunday School and attending Sunday services. She loved to boat and be near the water. She made many special memories at Jesiek's Marina in Holland, Michigan. Her family shared her love for the Detroit Tigers and she often told stories of the many games and players over the years. The 1940 Tigers won the division and lost in the World Series to the Reds. When they played at Briggs Stadium her favorite players were Hal Newhouser and Schoolboy Rowe. In 1945, they won the division and the World Series against the Cubs. She followed them faithfully through the years and attended a game of the 1968 World Series when the Tigers won beating the Cardinals at Tiger Stadium. Al Kaline and Willie Horton were two of her many favorites. In 1984, the Tigers won the series again beating the San Diego Padres. Shirley loved Sparky Anderson and so many of the guys. She glowed for an entire year! Dan Petry, Willie Hernandez, Lance Parrish, Alan Trammell, Lou Whitaker and Kirk Gibson were a few of her favorites at that time. In 2000, when the Tigers moved to Comerica Park, she made the journey to watch a game with family and friends at least one time annually. She has a brick with her name on it at the entrance to Comerica Park. In 2005, her 80th birthday was celebrated at the ballpark watching a game in a suite and she had a visit from Gates Brown. If you knew Shirley, you knew to check the game schedule before calling her or she would hang up on you. Her family includes her daughter: Debra (Phillip) Barrett; her grandchildren: Kimberly Frakes, Deborah Frakes, Tiffany Holben, Trisha Holben, Holly Holben, Kaitlyn Barrett, and Elizabeth Losson; several great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; her sister *Beverly Swain, several nieces and nephews * and special friend Tanya Wallace of Davenport, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, her children Linda and Larry Holben and their father Charles Holben, her husband Eldred John Deming, her brother Wayne Wilcox, her grandson Robert Frakes and her stepson Richard (Audrey) Deming. A private burial will be held at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park, South with a memorial service being held in June where everyone is welcome. In honor of Shirley wear her favorite color Red! Donations in memory of Shirley may be made to Centrica Care Navigators and Kalamazoo Animal Rescue Project. Please share memories of Shirley with her family atwww.langelands.com

"Being a mother has always meant more to me than maybe it should-and Grandmother-well-a minister once asked the questions: "when does life become real to you?" My answer "when I look at a grandchild."