Shirley Wilk

Shirley M. Wilk, age 74, of Battle Creek, passed away Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at her home surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born August 26, 1938 in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Lavern and Edna (Palmer) Davis. Shirley attended Battle Creek Public Schools and worked at the House of Raford in Athens as well as bartended in Ohio with her sisters. She had also worked at the local bakery making jelly rolls, and would make her own with extra jelly. Shirley had taken training courses obtaining her pipefitters card before continuing her journey to become a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. On May 23, 1964 she married John Wilk, Jr. Together they raised five children: April (Don) Lewis, John (Mari) Wilk III, Kellie (Tony) Floro, Joe (Laura) Wilk and Jennifer (Bill) Joiner all of Battle Creek; they also were adopted parents to Cindi and Larry Doerr of Kalamazoo. Mom enjoyed the night life of Bingo and playing cards every Saturday night. She bowled for the local P.N.A. Club for many years, while waiting for Firekeeper’s to open. She looked forward to all the holidays and birthday parties at her house which everyone attended. Her favorite times though were the enjoyment and happiness she got from her 18 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren, and one on the way. Shirley is also survived by two brothers: Jim and Richard Davis, and two sisters: Linda McMahon and Patty Maxell. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one great-granddaughter: Danika Wilk and four brothers: Lavern, Harry, Glen and Raymond Davis, and two sisters: LouAnn Lonchar and Marilyn Wilk. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. A dinner will be held following the funeral service at the P.N.A. Club. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

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