Shirley Counterman

Shirley Eulene Counterman was supported by a faith that guided her towards happiness no matter what her situation was. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother who derived endless joy from watching her family grow and succeed. Throughout her life, Shirley was devoted to her loved ones and her faith. Her benevolence radiated and was reflected in those around her.

Barlow, Kentucky, is a small community located in the far western part of the state, near the Illinois border. With a population of less than 1,000, it was an area of small farms. In 1940, it was the home of Wyatt and Mary (King) Bennett. Wyatt and Mary owned and worked a tobacco farm and cared for their son Stanley. On a cold February 12, 1940, Wyatt and Mary welcomed the birth of a baby daughter they named Shirley Eulene. Shirley was born at home, delivered by the local physician, Dr. Hass. When younger brother Waylon came along, the Bennett family was complete.

Although growing up on a farm meant that everyone had chores to do, Shirley always found time for play. As a child, she loved spending time with her close friend, Carolyn Lamkin Doke. They played cowboys and Indians with the neighbor boys, and she and Carolyn would play house with her younger brother, Waylon. She was involved in 4-H. With grandparents and other family members living close by, Shirley also spent time with her cousin, Paula, swinging in the backyard and riding their bikes to visit their grandparents. She especially enjoyed the holidays because all of the family would gather together. Family was always very important to Shirley.

Living on a farm meant there were always plenty of animals. Shirley had dogs, cats, which she dressed in baby clothes, and pigs as pets. She raised five little piglets, lovingly bottle-feeding them. Wanting a record player, she later sold one of her pet pigs. She often recalled watching it being taken to market and said that after all those years, it still bothered her. On hot days, Shirley and her playmates splashed in the cows’ large watering trough.

Shirley attended elementary school in Barlow and graduated from Ballard Memorial High School in 1958. Music was a big part of her life and she sang in the school choir and took piano lessons. She was overjoyed when her parents bought her a piano and considered it one of her favorite possessions. Her mother had taught her to sew and can the food grown on the farm, and Shirley loved living in Barlow. She always felt that she had had a great childhood, filled with wonderful memories.

After graduating from high school, Shirley moved to Waukegan, Illinois, where she temporarily lived with her cousin Paula and her husband, and worked as a secretary at Holleran Economy Corboy, a construction company. On a blind date, Shirley met a young man named Vincent Henry Counterman. Vince was from Paw Paw, Michigan, and soon asked her to marry him. Having said “yes” the young couple took the train to Paw Paw to meet Vince’s parents. Shirley vividly remembered being very nervous and feeling her face get quite red.

On a train trip to meet his parents, Shirley almost lost Vince, or so she thought. Vince had gone to the dining car, and when the train stopped, the dining car was disconnected and moved to another track. Frightened Shirley could see her fiancé, in the dining car on the other track. Eventually the cars were connected, and so were Shirley and Vince.

After their marriage, Vincent’s brother told Shirley’s brother Waylon, who was 12 years old at the time, “She’s my sister now.” Young Waylon, who was very close to his sister, fought back with “She’ll always be a Bennett.” Although the marriage ended in divorce, they were both blessed with the births of their four children, Rhonda, Randy, Rick and Renee.

The divorce left Shirley a single mother with four children – ages 11 to 5 – to care for. She moved to a home on her in-law’s farm. Her mother-in-law and she remained best friends through the years. After 14 years she moved to CR 653, where her neighbors soon became her friends and she resided until her death.

Now living in Paw Paw, Shirley went to work for Ellingsworth, and later at Warner Vineyards. She subsequently worked many years for the Van Buren County Health Department and Kalamazoo Visiting Nurses Association. She retired in 1993, due to health issues.

When not working, Shirley loved spending time with her grandchildren. Even the teenagers thought it was cool to be with Grandma. She had made a point of teaching solid values to her children and passed these values on to her grandchildren. In earlier years, she was active on a bowling team and was a member of the Paw Paw Jaycees. As a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Paw Paw, she taught Sunday School there for 30 years.

Some of her other interests were listening to music, sewing, and cooking. She loved BBQ and often made spaghetti and meatballs for her grandchildren. A family favorite was her jell-o salad, which she made in abundance. In fact whenever the family got together Shirley would cook, and have some of the girls stay for a “sleep-over”. She looked forward to family vacations and girls’ weekend getaways, again spending time with children and grandchildren.

Shirley was diagnosed with cancer 30 years ago but had survived. Sadly, In August of 2007 she was again stricken with cancer, this time bone cancer. After spending the last six weeks in the wonderful care of staff at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Shirley lost her battle with this dreaded disease.

Inspired by her faith in the Lord, she was able to find inner peace through the ups and downs of her life. Never a complainer, Shirley was a great listener and selflessly gave herself to others. Independent to the end, she will be lovingly remembered for her kind and generous nature as well as her deep commitment to family and her faith.

Shirley Counterman went to be with her Lord April 18, 2008, at Rose Arbor Hospice with her loving family at her side. Learn more about Shirley, view her Life Story Film and visit with her family and friends Sunday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home-Betzler & Thompson 60900 M-40, Paw Paw 657-3870. A service to honor her life will be held Monday 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church, Paw Paw, Pastor Buddy Turner officiating. Interment Wildey Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church. She was preceded in death by her sister-in-law Shirley Bennett. Members of her family include four children: Rhonda (Donald) Stull of Paw Paw, Randy (Terri) Counterman of Kalamazoo, Rick Counterman of Paw Paw, and Renee (Dan) Collins of Kalamazoo, six grandchildren: Clay, Alex, Kaitlyn, Emily, Wyatt and Joey, two brothers: Stanley (Jan) Bennett of Paducah, KY, and Waylon (Jean) Bennett of Barlow, KY, extended family: Sherry Campbell, Bonnie (Roger) Fenstermaker, and Chuck Counterman, many nieces and nephews, former spouse, Vince (Lavonne) Counterman, and special friends and caregivers. Please visit Shirley’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign the guest book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to American Cancer Society, First Baptist Church of Paw Paw, or Rose Arbor Hospice.