Shirley Maxine (Young) Austin

    Shirley Maxine Austin, age 93, of St. Louis, MI, formerly of Elwell, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at Covenant Healthcare Center – Cooper in Saginaw, MI, with her family at her side.

     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes-St. Louis Chapel, St. Louis, MI, on Friday, February 3, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Lee Rhodes officiating.  A private burial will take place at Jasper Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held 4-8 P.M. on Thursday, February 2, 2023, and again on Friday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at the funeral home.

     Shirley was born in Shepherd, Michigan on May 13, 1929, the daughter of Mark Marshall and Julia Beth (Hetherington) Young.  She attended Shepherd High School.  On December 21, 1946, Shirley married John "Jack" Austin at the Stickland Baptist Church. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters: Kay Lorraine and Carol Ann.

     Shirley worked at J.J. Newberry Co. and then at W.T. Grant Co. in Alma until it closed. She had been a member of the Alma V.F.W. Women’s Auxiliary.  She sold Avon products for many years to her friends and neighbors. Shirley loved to crochet and go camping with her family.

     She is survived by her daughters: Kay (John) Criswell of St. Louis, MI; and Carol (David “Chip”) Aldrich of St. Louis, MI; three grandsons: Scott (Robbin) Ewer of Howard City, MI;  Jon (Jennifer) Aldrich of St. Louis, MI; and Tom (Crystal) Ewer of Crystal, MI; one granddaughter Teresa ( Ed) Ward of St. Louis, MI; she is also survived by many great-grandchildren; great- great-granddaughters and several nieces and nephews.  Her sole surviving sister is Virgilene Hanson of Crandon, WI. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack, her parents, granddaughter Jodi Lynn Aldrich Aikens, great- grandson Jeremy Lee Ward, sisters and brothers-in-laws: Eileen (Ronald) Shaver, Zelma (Robert) Nestle, Wilma (Bruce) Welch, and Terry Hanson.

     Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.