Shirley Ruth "Kurtz" Zemonick

Shirley Ruth Kurtz Zemonick, 94, passed away on Feb 12, 2026, in her current home in Smithville, TN, with much of her family near her side.

Shirley was born on Jan 9, 1932, in Springfield Twp, Ohio, to Charles and Lorena (Holl)Kurtz, the youngest of four children. She enjoyed her childhood and loved her parents, speaking about them a great deal in her last months. She was a long-time member of the Springfield Church of the Brethren, where she was married on Jan 10, 1959, to August Zemonick.

She worked for a time in her younger years as a dental assistant and in her mature years in retail. In between, most of her energy was spent creating a warm home and caring for her family. She was active as a parent volunteer while her children were in school.

Shirley had a lifelong love of animals and adored her grand-dogs and -cats. She was in her happy place when she got puppy kisses. She also loved laughing and cheering on the Ohio State Buckeyes every football season. Over the years, she enjoyed embroidery, crossword puzzles, word searches, and reading, especially Amish fiction. She liked listening to Big Bands, Frank Sinatra, and Beegie Adair.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Lorena Kurtz; her brother, Galen Kurtz; her sisters, Ferne MacFarlan and Alta Chevolard; and her husband, August Zemonick. She leaves behind daughters and son-in-law, Suzanne Houglan and Marianne and Don Young, and several nieces and nephews. It was Shirley's wish that there be no services. Her family will have a private interment at a later date in Maple Hill Cemetery in Akron, OH. DeKalb Funeral Chapel is honored to care for the Zemonick family.