Shirley Joan King, 82, of West Liberty, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2024, at The Life Care Center of Medina where she was cared for by Hospice of the Western Reserve and her loving nephew, Phillip King and family.
Previously to the nursing home, Shirley was cared for at Green Hills for 2 years, and in her home by her great-niece, Faith Kindig Mielke.
She was born on May 5, 1942, in Logan County, Ohio, to John Emmett King and Zella Mae Yoder as their second child. Her only brother, Darrell Herbert King, preceded her in death at age 54.
Shirley graduated from Salem Local Schools and was a member of Bethel Mennonite Church. She worked as a laboratory technologist, working early and long hours, first at Bellefontaine, Mary Rutan Hospital, then for the Physician Group at Oakhill Medical Associates at West Liberty. Shirley worked for Lab Corp both in Urbana and Springfield. Shirley also provided Medical Physicals, where her nieces and nephews would accompany her on drives to various homes.
Shirley was a loving person to all who met her and had to tell a joke to all her patients. Shirley was known for her quick wit, humor, “Love of Lucy”, card playing, happiness with driving her car, and living independently.
We remember visiting Grandma and Aunt Shirley’s house for a week of bible school every summer. Shirley would take us to the movies, or miniature golfing. Sometimes we would go to the Lions Club Park and wade in the creek, use the playground equipment, and be happy to go back to watch TV and eat popcorn at her apartment. As a child, when you played “sick” you could get M&M candies for pills, hear Dean, Allen and Arthur stories, hear Disney stories with animated voices, go fishing at the cousin’s farm pond, and sing show tunes while driving in the car. Shirley was the self-designated family photographer and created over 30 photo albums that have been shared and loved.
Shirley’s family includes her brother’s wife, whom she considered her sister, Mary Ann Hostetler (Pratt) King who remains and resides in Arlington, Ohio at Serenity Spring Nursing Home. She had many friends but loved her nieces and nephews most, saying they were her children. Darrell, H (Nancy) King, II of Covington, IN, Kathleen King Martin of Waterloo, Ontario, CAN, Dr. Marilyn K (Douglas) Stahl of Lima, Phillip (Kendra) King of Cleveland, Dr. John (Cindy) King of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Samuel (Danelle) King of Indianapolis, IN as well as 32 great nieces and nephews and 4 great-great nieces and nephews.
As Shirley wished, family will have a private graveside service in Fairview Cemetery, West Liberty. All are welcome to join the family for a service at Bethel Mennonite Church, 416 Washington Street, West Liberty at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 8. Visitation will be at the church an hour prior to the service. John 14, 1-7.
In lieu of flowers, please donate funds to Bethel Mennonite Church, 416 Washington Street, West Liberty, Ohio 43357, or Hospice of the Western Reserve 5075 Windfall Rd., Medina, 44256.
