Shirley Summerfield

Passed away peacefully at Brookdale Assisted Living in Portage on Tuesday, October 13, 2020. Shirley is survived by her children: Kathy (Bob) Fell, Annette (Bernie Dillon) Summerfield, John (Lark) Summerfield, Susan (Bill) Whitney, and David (Maria) Summerfield; along with 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Shirley was born July 7, 1928 in Burlington, Iowa and relocated as a teenager to Kalamazoo. She attended St. Augustine High School and Western Michigan University. In February of 1952 she married Norbert Summerfield, who preceded her in death. During her lifetime, Shirley was a homemaker, an accomplished seamstress, avid knitter, and a wonderful cook. She returned to the workplace after her children were grown, working as an administrator for Kalamazoo County for many years. After retirement, she enjoyed socializing with family and friends, travelling to Florida, and spending time with her loving companion of many years, Richard Early. Shirley instilled in her children the benefit of self-reliance, love of good food, and Catholic values. Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering will be scheduled at a later date. Please visit Shirley’s personal webpage at www.BetzlerLifeStory.com where you may archive a favorite memory or photo and sign her online guestbook. To offer sympathy consider donating to a charity of your choice, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or St. Andrew Community Church. Arrangements by Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900.