Shirley J. Richards
June 5th, 1928 - December 11th, 2021
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Shirley's Obituary
Shirley J. Richards 93, passed peacefully at Hanson Hospice on December 11th. Arrangements have been entrusted to Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services.
She was born in Royalton Township to Cleve and Lucy (Snyder) Burkett in 1928. She was raised on the Meadowbrook Road family farm in Benton Harbor. Her charitable nature emerged early. In school she joined the war effort selling stamps and was a member of the Big Sisters club. One of her favorite activities was singing in the Glee Club. In 1945, at the age of 16, she graduated from Benton Harbor High School as a proud member of the National Honor Society. At 17, she was recommended and accepted a position with Dora B. Whitney, Benton Harbor’s first female attorney. Adept at shorthand, this was her first secretarial position. In 1947 Shirley married Clarence Sill, together they had five daughters. She re-entered the workforce in 1955, spending ten years at Heath Company. The remainder of her career was with Whirlpool, her last position as the executive secretary to the CEO- ABCC division.
In 1981, Shirley married Gene Richards. Once retired they enjoyed more time with family at their Bass Island home. Florida became their permanent residence after years as snow birds. Shirley was a faithful loving Christian, and a committed prayer warrior. Much of her time in Florida was devoted to church activities. For four years she organized and ran an all-age community Health Fair and taught in the ESL program. She held prayer groups and taught Bible study in her home. Shirley was not only generous with her time; she gave freely to overseas missions and favored charities. Shirley lost Gene to Alzheimer's in 2000. In 2012, love of family drew her home to Michigan. She loved her cat Rascal, reading, church, and going for drives. As much as she enjoyed visits, she embraced her solitude. Shirley was strong and kind. Her children looked up to her in many ways, as a beautiful person and a loving mother. She was clear in her faith and beliefs, praying for our country and government as the Bible directed. She left this Earth confident in God’s loving promise.
She is survived by her five daughters, Pamela (Larry) Broughton, Wendy (Chris) Nielsen, Laura (Eric) Eucher, Christine (Gene) Rudel, and Teresa (Michael) Mitchell; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; four stepchildren; sisters, Thelma, Marian, and Roberta; and her Florida “son”, Leon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; parents: brother, Loren; sister-in-law, Beverly; and her cherished cat, Rascal.
A memorial service will be held Monday, December 20th at Berrien County Baptist Church, 5940 St. Joseph Avenue Stevensville MI. Friends may visit with the family at 1PM with the service beginning at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marie Yeager Cancer Center or Hanson Hospice Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
She was born in Royalton Township to Cleve and Lucy (Snyder) Burkett in 1928. She was raised on the Meadowbrook Road family farm in Benton Harbor. Her charitable nature emerged early. In school she joined the war effort selling stamps and was a member of the Big Sisters club. One of her favorite activities was singing in the Glee Club. In 1945, at the age of 16, she graduated from Benton Harbor High School as a proud member of the National Honor Society. At 17, she was recommended and accepted a position with Dora B. Whitney, Benton Harbor’s first female attorney. Adept at shorthand, this was her first secretarial position. In 1947 Shirley married Clarence Sill, together they had five daughters. She re-entered the workforce in 1955, spending ten years at Heath Company. The remainder of her career was with Whirlpool, her last position as the executive secretary to the CEO- ABCC division.
In 1981, Shirley married Gene Richards. Once retired they enjoyed more time with family at their Bass Island home. Florida became their permanent residence after years as snow birds. Shirley was a faithful loving Christian, and a committed prayer warrior. Much of her time in Florida was devoted to church activities. For four years she organized and ran an all-age community Health Fair and taught in the ESL program. She held prayer groups and taught Bible study in her home. Shirley was not only generous with her time; she gave freely to overseas missions and favored charities. Shirley lost Gene to Alzheimer's in 2000. In 2012, love of family drew her home to Michigan. She loved her cat Rascal, reading, church, and going for drives. As much as she enjoyed visits, she embraced her solitude. Shirley was strong and kind. Her children looked up to her in many ways, as a beautiful person and a loving mother. She was clear in her faith and beliefs, praying for our country and government as the Bible directed. She left this Earth confident in God’s loving promise.
She is survived by her five daughters, Pamela (Larry) Broughton, Wendy (Chris) Nielsen, Laura (Eric) Eucher, Christine (Gene) Rudel, and Teresa (Michael) Mitchell; eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; four stepchildren; sisters, Thelma, Marian, and Roberta; and her Florida “son”, Leon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gene; parents: brother, Loren; sister-in-law, Beverly; and her cherished cat, Rascal.
A memorial service will be held Monday, December 20th at Berrien County Baptist Church, 5940 St. Joseph Avenue Stevensville MI. Friends may visit with the family at 1PM with the service beginning at 2PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Marie Yeager Cancer Center or Hanson Hospice Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
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