Shirley Irene Romanek

Shirley Irene Romanek, 82 of Gaylord, passed away Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at The Porches in Gaylord. Shirley was a former longtime resident of Charlotte and Crystal Falls, Michigan.

Born August 16, 1943, in Detroit, she was the daughter of Leonard and Ruth (Rawson) Munn. After graduating from high school, Shirley enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES, serving for more than two years from 1962-1964.

Shirley was introduced to Lawrence Romanek Jr in 1971 by her sister, Louise. The two fell in love and were married in Lansing on December 18,1971. They lived briefly in Lansing before moving to Charlotte. Larry worked at General Motors in Lansing, and Shirley worked as a key punch operator for the State of Michigan Department of Human Services in Charlotte. After they retired, they moved to Crystal Falls in 1990. Earlier this year they moved to The Porches Assisted Living in Gaylord.

Shirley loved animals, especially enjoying Irish Setters and later Beagles. She also enjoyed her horses, Regina and Haji. Shirley also enjoyed the deer around their home, especially "Bucky" the orphaned fawn that was a constant presence around their home. Family and friends will remember her collection of chicken themed coffee mugs, always on display in their homes. Larry and Shirley enjoyed traveling, including trips out west, to Vermont, and to Ireland.

Shirley is survived by Larry, her loving husband of almost 54 years; her sister, Louise (Paul) Anderson; her niece, Rebecca (Steve) Ward and their daughters, Kelly and Robin Ward; her step-daughter, Lisa (Todd) Clark; nieces and nephews, Jim (Wanda) Darrow, Steve Taylor, Dan (JoAnne) Romanek, David (Kimberly) Romanek, and Gary (Jackie) Crowe; her brother-in-law, Robert (Elsa) Romanek; several grandchildren and other extended family members.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard Munn and Ruth Jablonski-Doyle; and her stepson, Jeff Romanek.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service where visitation will begin at 12:30 PM. Interment with a brief committal service will take place at 12:00 noon (CDT), Wednesday, August 27, 2025, at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery in Crystal Falls.

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