Shirley A. Paulson

Shirley Ann Paulson, age 86, of Battle Creek died peacefully on Friday afternoon, May 20, 2022. She was born in Battle Creek on December 20, 1935, the loving daughter of Floyd and Charlotte (Reichel) Shay.

Shirley married Arthur Edward Paulson in Calhoun County on May 12, 1951, and they raised four daughters in their loving home. She is survived by her daughters, Karen (Lee) Rentz of Shelton, WA, Marilyn "Jo" (Gary) Tarka of Bellbrook, OH, Kathy (Dan) Adams of Battle Creek, and Debbie (Steve) Vance of Richland, MI; 4 grandchildren, Danielle (Jaime) Perez, Paul (Theresa) Tarka, Katie Adams, and Jason Tarka; 4 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur (Art) on December 8, 2013, her parents, her sisters Emma Ashley and Irene Thornburg, and her brother Jack Shay.

A very thoughtful and generous woman, Shirley volunteered her time and talents over the years. She was a 4-H knitting leader, a Bluebird leader; and was involved in PTA and Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer. Shirley contributed enormously to Charitable Union from 1997 through this year with her sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She attended Maple United Methodist Church, where she also created handmade hats for the homeless and prayer quilts for church members with illnesses. She and her husband supplied food and supplies to the church food pantry. With her husband she enjoyed square dancing, gardening, camping, traveling across America with their trailer to most of the states and Canada, and spending time with their family as everyone gathered at the house for holidays and to swim in the pool. She enjoyed watching the birds at her feeders and the beautiful Burr Oak tree in the yard. Shirley was employed at Cut Rate Markets from 1967-1984 and at Dan's Pro Color 1986-89.

Funeral services to celebrate Shirley's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. There will be a visitation Thursday, May 26 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Interment will follow privately at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Charitable Union or to Maple United Methodist Church. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.