Shirley McKinney

With a warm, welcoming smile and a gracious heart, Shirley McKinney lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Shirley welcomed each day as a gift and every person as a friend. She was generous, kind, and loving, and never hesitated to share her gifts in service of others. Her family was her greatest joy, and nothing pleased her more than witnessing their lives and cheering on their endeavors. Whether running an errand, hosting an event, traveling, attending a ballgame, or volunteering her time, Shirley led with her heart in all things, choosing grace and gratitude at every turn. In doing so, she proved a powerful role model for how to live wholeheartedly. A wonderful lady, Shirley will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend by all who were blessed to know her.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1937 held much to celebrate, including the continued decrease in unemployment. As the Golden Gate Bridge opening gave Americans great pride, Walt Disney premiered "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," and J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel "The Hobbit" was published. When the first blood bank opened, it revolutionized medicine and helped advance modern surgery, as doctors no longer needed donors to be present at the time of transfusion. Nowhere was there more to celebrate than in the Cooper Township home of Darwin and Helen (DeWaters) Kridler as they welcomed their daughter Shirley to their family on October 4.

Growing up in Kalamazoo, Shirley enjoyed the good company of her older siblings, Roberta, Robert, Donald, Donna, and Richard. Her father worked at a local paper mill, while her mother dedicated herself to tending the house and children. Once she started school at Roosevelt Elementary, like many children made her way home for lunch. Over the years the school became further away and eventually the trek became nearly two miles.

While in high school at Kalamazoo Central, Shirley was introduced to Ralph McKinney by her friend, Jeannie Hubbel. Though her mother had some reservations about this young lad, her brother Don liked him. A few years older than Shirley, Ralph was in the service when they met and waited two years until they could marry. Shirley graduated with the class of 1955.

Shirley carefully planned and paid for a lovely wedding held on June 9, 1956, at North Presbyterian Church and officiated by Reverand Don Matthews. As Ralph was still in the service, the newlyweds moved to Fort Lewis, Washington, where he was stationed. In time, the couple was happy to welcome four children to their family. James, Stephen, William, and Kevin were the centers of Shirley's world, and she was happy to devote herself to creating a loving and supportive home for them. Though she always wanted a daughter, later in life, she shared that God was good to her by giving her four wonderful sons.

A great mom, Shirley attended all of her boys' special events. She never missed a game and served as a Team Mother for Little League and Rocket Football. Shirley taught her sons to be truth-tellers, encouraged them to do things the right way, and taught them the values of responsibility and sound money management. The boys had chores around the house, such as making their beds, helping with dishes, and vacuuming. Shirley gave her boys the foundation of the church while also allowing them the freedom to explore where they wanted to go. Shirley prioritized education and led by example, always choosing to live the values she believed in. She loved to play games, including Aggravation, Pictionary, Racko, and the family's tradition, Hi Ho! Cherry-O.

For several years, she worked in the lunch room at Milham Road Elementary. Of course, back then, the lunchroom ladies did more than cook and serve lunch, and Shirley had a special knack for helping kids with loose teeth to pull them out gently. The McKinney house was the house to be at, especially once they built an inground pool. Shirley knew the pool would draw many neighborhood kids, so when it came time to construct a fence around the pool, Ralph completed the carpentry work while she corralled kids to paint the pickets. Shirley got by in the kitchen, and her boys fondly remember how she made their dad eggs for breakfast every morning, as well as her hot dogs, fried potatoes, and roast beef.

Shirley had a gift for planning and coordinating events and was always willing to lend her talents in service to others. She was on the planning committee for her school class reunions and coordinated meals at the Portage Senior Center. Over the years, Shirley worked at the Upjohn Company, Kellogg's, Stryker, and Tower Pinkster Titus before discovering her niche at First of America Bank, where she worked until retiring in 1997. After the kids left home, Shirley and Ralph retired and joined a travel club. They traveled to 49 states with their camper, enjoying every mile and every sight along the way.

In the comforts of the home she so carefully created, Shirley enjoyed knitting, crocheting, reading, and family time. She especially enjoyed sharing time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With unwavering strength, commitment, and kindness, Shirley took loving care of her husband, who has been struggling with memory issues for the past five years.

Though the world feels far less certain in the absence of Shirley's wonderful companionship, we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying her legacy forward. In every moment we choose love and hope over fear, confidently face life's challenges, explore the country with our beloved, cheer on other's dreams and hopes, and joyfully share our hospitality, we celebrate the countless ways Shirley made the world a better place. In this way, we keep her bright and beautiful spirit alive and inspiring others as she inspired us.

After suffering an accidental fall at her home on Thursday, April 18, Shirley died hours later at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

Members of her family include her husband Ralph; 4 sons, James (Andrea), Stephen (Nanette), William, and Kevin; 7 grandchildren, Charlie, Maggie, Ali, Clayton, Caitlin, Caroline, Lucas; 6 great-grandchildren, Miles, Rylie, Averly, Ezaline, Aylarin, and Aiden.

Shirley was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert, Donald, and Richard Kridler; her sisters, Donna and Roberta (all); and her daughter-in-law, Susan.

Cremation has taken place. Life Story Services will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception where food, drinks, and stories will be shared will be held immediately following the service. Burial will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Visit Shirley's webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.