Alan Shirrell, Sr
September 30, 1949 — November 17, 2012
Alan L. Shirrell, Sr.
September 30, 1949 - November 17, 2012
Alan Lee Shirrell, Sr., age 63 years of Hughes, Alaska and formerly of Niles, Michigan died on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at the Hughes Clinic unexpectedly, but of natural causes.
He was born on September 30, 1949 in Niles to Cameron Leo and Lorene Pearl (Brown) Shirrell. He was graduated from Niles High School in 1968, and from Southwestern Michigan College. He enlisted in the United States Navy, and served in the country of Viet Nam, and was a Veteran of the Viet Nam Era.
Alan was employed for several years at Leo’s Mobil Station in Niles. More recently, he had been a foreman for the former Kaser-Spraker Construction, Incorporated. Currently he was employed with his wife at the Johnny Oldman School in Hughes, serving the Athabascan community of Native Alaskans.
In Niles, Alan was a member of the First Church of Christ – Christian. He volunteered to lead worship monthly at Silverbrook Manor Nursing Home. He attended several DeColores meetings as it was very important to him. While in Hughes, he continued Bible Study with friends in Niles through the internet audio-visual services of Skype.
On April 11, 1969 in Niles he married the former Dianne L. Cauffman with whom he had celebrated the forty-third anniversary of their wedding.
Surviving family includes his wife, Dianne Shirrell, and their children, Alan (& Debbie Majerek-Toman) Shirrell, Jr. of Granger, Indiana, Janice Marie Shirrell of Alabama, and Benjamin Cameron (& Tresa) Shirrell of Stewart, Florida; grandchildren, Cody Warren Shirrell, Logen Marie Shirrell, Jenna Kay Shirrell, Carly Megan Shirrell, Cortney Marie Shirrell, Allee Roxanne Shirrell. And Cameron Thomas Shirrell; great-grandchildren, Ayden, Hunter, Alesha, Jayvon, and AvaLillian; and Alan’s sisters, Beverly (& Denny) Soucek of Fort Collins, Colorado, Carolyn (& Serjet) Dulai of Haslett, Michigan, and Linda (& Bill) Bennett of Walker, Michigan, and several nieces and nephews.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Lorene Shirrell, and a sister, Darlene Garland.
The funeral service for Alan Shirrell, Sr. will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 24, 2012 at the First Church of Christ – Christian in Niles with Bob Kenney of the church officiating. The service will conclude with Full Military Honors in the churchyard by the United States Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post #51 of Buchanan, Michigan. Interment will be private at the Dick Cemetery in Niles.
The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the church. Contributions in memory of Alan may be made to the First Church of Christ – Christian, or to an organization of the donor’s choice.