Shirley J. Smith Obituary
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home beginning at 1:00 p.m. Shirley will be laid to rest at East Cooper Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, in c/o the funeral home.
Age 89 of Parchment passed away Wednesday afternoon, October 15, 2025. Shirley was born in Kalamazoo on January 14, 1936, the daughter of Peter and Dorothy (Akin) Hoogenboom. Shirley loved playing Bingo at the Community Center in Comstock and later in her assisted care residence. She also liked visiting the casino. Shirley was a devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers. She worked for many years as a cashier at Harding's. She became well-known for her friendliness. She was easily recognized by people who she had met at work. She was a "mom" to many. Her own children's friends all adored her and enjoyed being with her. Shirley is survived by her children, James (Nancy) Cook, Cindy (Larry) McFarlin, Steven (Vicki) Smith, Jeffrey (Cathy) Smith, Jayne (Randy) Rieder; ten grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, with three more on the way; brother, Gerald (Leona) Hoogenboom; nieces and nephews and many, many friends. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents.
