Union, Oregon
Michel L. Shirley, 60, of Milton-Freewater and formerly of Union died Aug. 13 at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Mr. Shirley was born Nov. 5, 1945, to Ancle L. and Eva M. Fulp Shirley in Tranquillity, Calif. He graduated from Union High School in 1963, and served in the Air Force specializing in computer systems. In 1966 he was assigned to NORAD Headquarters in Cheyenne Mountain, Colorado Springs, Colo., where he received the Armed Forces Commendation Medal. He graduated from the USAAFSS NCO Academy, and finished his military career as the computer operations supervisor at Yakima Research Station.
On July 24, 1965, he married Kaylene Fletcher in Enterprise. The family spent several years in Wallowa County where he started a new career in facilities support. He was housekeeping supervisor and facilities manager at Wallowa Memorial Hospital, and from 1980 to 1986 he worked at St. Mary Medical Center as director of plant operations and maintenance. He worked in hospitality management and retired because of his health in 1989 from Walla Walla Community College as director of plant facilities.
He enjoyed fishing, gardening, artistic endeavors and church activities. He was a member of the New Life Assembly of God Church, EMT, the American Society for Hospital Engineering, and was formerly a member of BPOE Lodge 1829.
Survivors include his wife of Milton-Freewater; daughters Sharim Shirley of Lynnwood, Wash., Sandaleigh Shirley of Caldwell, Idaho, and Heather Shirley of Moss Beach, Calif.; two brothers Gaston Shirley and Atherd Shirley; seven sisters, Louvilla Sievers, Marline Hendrix, Jessie LaFontaine, Montaze Klippel, Marnell McNutt, Toromotha Shirley-Riach and Joyce Dodge; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild and other relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Christian Aid Center in care of Munselle-Rhodes Funeral Home, 902 S. Main, Milton-Freewater 97862.
The Observer Online, Obituaries for the week ending Aug. 19, 2006, Published: August 17, 2006