Obituary for Shirley Jean Idema
IDEMA, SHIRLEY JEAN, age 81, of Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, passed away surrounded by her family on Thursday, December 21, 2023, at the Prestige Centre in Mt. Pleasant.
Shirley was born January 17, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the class of 1960 and went on to attend Kellogg Community College. Shirley worked as a stewardess for Frontier Airlines. Shirley married Thomas Hudson Idema on August 28, 1965, in Battle Creek. Thomas was in the United States Marine Corps and Shirley was a proud military wife. When Tom and Shirley started their family, she stayed home to raise their sons. In later years, she worked as a receptionist for businesses in Grand Rapids, Lowell, Detroit, and Charlotte, NC. She volunteered with Newcomers, Welcome Wagon, hospitals, as well as with their church youth groups.
Shirley loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially at family gatherings such as holidays, weddings, and graduations. In her spare time, Shirley liked to play bridge, garden, watch the hummingbirds, read novels, travel, and collect antiques, especially her beloved red dishes. She particularly enjoyed being a part of her bridge club, pinochle club, and bowling leagues. Making special recipes for her family meant a lot to her. Some of her favorites were taco salad, lasagna, “nuts and bolts,” and Buckeyes. She really enjoyed attending her and Tom’s Battle Creek Central High School reunions. Shirley always kept a lovely home.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Thomas Hudson Idema, Sr.; sons Thomas Hudson (Judy) Idema, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, Steven Michael (Amanda) Idema of Okemos; grandchildren Taylor Idema, Allison Idema, and Elijah Fosmore, all of Mt. Pleasant; Madeline Idema of Okemos; niece Cheryl (Dave) Schurr of Richland; niece Debbie Lauck of Augusta, nephew Jerry Panczyk Jr. of Battle Creek, niece Beth Panczyk-Quartermaine of Battle Creek, niece Laura Fields of Battle Ground, Indiana; great-nephew Chadd Schurr of Richland; great-niece Danielle (Matthew) Schell of Portage; great-great- nephew Colton Schurr; and great-great nieces Huxley Schell and Liesl Schell.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Verta Panczyk; sister Joan Beattie; brother Jerry Panczyk; and parents-in-law Robert and Mary Idema.
Graveside Services for Shirley will take place on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Isabella County Commission on Aging or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Shirley was born January 17, 1942, in Battle Creek, Michigan. She graduated from Battle Creek Central High School with the class of 1960 and went on to attend Kellogg Community College. Shirley worked as a stewardess for Frontier Airlines. Shirley married Thomas Hudson Idema on August 28, 1965, in Battle Creek. Thomas was in the United States Marine Corps and Shirley was a proud military wife. When Tom and Shirley started their family, she stayed home to raise their sons. In later years, she worked as a receptionist for businesses in Grand Rapids, Lowell, Detroit, and Charlotte, NC. She volunteered with Newcomers, Welcome Wagon, hospitals, as well as with their church youth groups.
Shirley loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, especially at family gatherings such as holidays, weddings, and graduations. In her spare time, Shirley liked to play bridge, garden, watch the hummingbirds, read novels, travel, and collect antiques, especially her beloved red dishes. She particularly enjoyed being a part of her bridge club, pinochle club, and bowling leagues. Making special recipes for her family meant a lot to her. Some of her favorites were taco salad, lasagna, “nuts and bolts,” and Buckeyes. She really enjoyed attending her and Tom’s Battle Creek Central High School reunions. Shirley always kept a lovely home.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Thomas Hudson Idema, Sr.; sons Thomas Hudson (Judy) Idema, Jr. of Mt. Pleasant, Steven Michael (Amanda) Idema of Okemos; grandchildren Taylor Idema, Allison Idema, and Elijah Fosmore, all of Mt. Pleasant; Madeline Idema of Okemos; niece Cheryl (Dave) Schurr of Richland; niece Debbie Lauck of Augusta, nephew Jerry Panczyk Jr. of Battle Creek, niece Beth Panczyk-Quartermaine of Battle Creek, niece Laura Fields of Battle Ground, Indiana; great-nephew Chadd Schurr of Richland; great-niece Danielle (Matthew) Schell of Portage; great-great- nephew Colton Schurr; and great-great nieces Huxley Schell and Liesl Schell.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Roman and Verta Panczyk; sister Joan Beattie; brother Jerry Panczyk; and parents-in-law Robert and Mary Idema.
Graveside Services for Shirley will take place on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Isabella County Commission on Aging or the Alzheimer’s Association.