Shirley Marie Blanchard

Shirley Marie Blanchard Battle Creek Shirley Marie Blanchard, 61, died at St. Joseph Mercy Center on Monday, August 27, 2012. Shirley was born July14, 1951, in Marshall, Michigan to Glenn and Leona (Cavitch) Waidelich. She grew up in Marshall, was a 1970 graduate of Marshall High School, received her Bachelor's in Education from Nazareth College and her Master's Degree in Education from Western Michigan University. In 2010, Shirley retired from Minges Elementary, where she taught for the Lakeview School District 20 years. Shirley was united in marriage to John McLean Blanchard November 22. 1974. She was preceded in death by John, her husband of 32 years on February 13, 2007; and by her parents. Surviving are three children, Scott (Dawn) Blanchard of Battle Creek, Donald Blanchard of Buchanan and Kristine (Jeffrey) Davis of Battle Creek; six grandchildren, Alexandra Davis, John Blanchard, Abigail Davis, Danielle Blanchard, Brady Davis and Ethan Blanchard; a close sister, Jacqueline Houston of Marshall and nephew, Greg Perkins. Shirley was a member of Westlake Presbyterian Church and the Michigan Retired Teachers Association. Her life was centered on her family and she loved spending time with her grandchildren and her dog Precious. She was the bling queen as well as a good decorator. Shirley's family will receive friends 4:00-7:00 p.m. Monday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home on September 3, 2012. A private inurnment will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery for Shirley's immediate family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lakeview Schools Educational Foundation (LSEF), 15 Arbor St., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.