Shirley Ilene Kanouse

In Loving Memory of Shirley Ilene Kanouse

Shirley Ilene Kanouse, age 94, of Pickerington, Ohio, formerly of New Port Richey, Florida, passed away peacefully on September 10, 2025. Born on June 15, 1931, in Highland Park, Michigan, Shirley was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-

grandmother, and friend whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she met.

Shirley earned her master's degree in education from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, and spent her career serving children with visual impairments. As a special education teacher, she brought patience, empathy, and unwavering dedication to her work-creating a nurturing environment where every child felt seen and supported. Her gentle spirit and welcoming nature extended far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Shirley is survived by her six children - Charles, Judith, Michael (Darlene), Jeanne (Brian), Gary and John (Maureen); along with daughter-in-law, Rosemary, wife of her late son David. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren: Erin, Jennifer, Charles

(Kristy), Nicole (Michael), Andrew, Marissa, Zachary and Taylor (Michael); and five great grandchildren Alyssa, Tyler, Zachary, Paxton and Kayson.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Charles Hayward Kanouse Sr.; her parents, Harold Edgar Sutton and Edna Jean Rothwell; her stepmother Marie Ann Wymore Brownlow; and brother John Edgar Sutton.

A celebration of Shirley's life will be held on Saturday, October 25, at 2:00 PM at Grace Fellowship – The Chapel, 575 Diley Rd, Pickerington, OH 43147. Friends and loved ones are invited to gather in remembrance, with light refreshments to follow. Please feel free to dress casually, just as Shirley would have liked.

The burial will take place at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida Friday, September 19th at 11:00 am, where she will be laid to rest with dignity and peace.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Shirley's memory to Native American Youth Ministries (naym.org) in Glendale, Arizona, where her daughter Judith serves as a career missionary, secretary, and administrative assistant.

Her legacy of love, learning, and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.