Grace Shriner

Grace Shriner
She didn't get the nickname "Amazing Grace" for nothing. Grace Shriner lived, loved and served with something extra special.
It showed in the homecooked meals she delivered beautifully plated to family and friends grieving a loss or recovering from an injury…an ornament handmade for each golfing buddy at her annual holiday luncheon…a gourmet picnic on the way home from skiing up north or served in the stands at the Indy 500…a lullaby sung to countless infants in the church nursery…her portfolio of beautiful Asian inspired paintings…her flawlessly executed corporate events…each beautifully wrapped gift at her notoriously bountiful family Christmas celebrations…and every hug she dispensed when you walked in her front door.
She was the center of our universe -- the glue that held our family close. And she loved us deeply until she passed away on June 11, 2025 at the age of 97 with her girls by her side.
Grace was born in Evansville, Indiana, to Reverend James and Alice Austin. She and her big brother Jim lived the majority of their young lives in Baraboo, Wisconsin, where their father lead several small churches. It was her beloved grandma Mary Templin who funded her college education at Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana, where – believe it or not – she enjoyed indoor plumbing for the first time in her life AND met the love of her life, John Shriner.
They married in 1947 and built a beautiful life together. Grace worked to support them as John went through medical school and residency training. She returned to work at Northwood University and then Dow once the last of their children was in college. In between, she was an amazing wife, mother, daughter, granddaughter, friend and neighbor. She raised three daughters and continued to watch over her parents, mother-in-law and grandma until they each lived well into their 90s.
Through it all, Grace ran the infant nursery at East Ashman Church of God and Eagle Ridge Church of God for decades. It was her ministry to sooth babies so their parents could participate in worship services worry-free. Undoubtedly, there are thousands of us who grew up in Midland hearing "I love you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."
She supported John throughout his aviation avocation and learned to snow ski in her 30s – both of which brought her face-to-face countless times with her fear of flying and heights. Grace was gutsy and refused to miss out on anything…so she conceded to fly commercial and sometimes cried on chairlifts. She was determined to live life to the fullest, including playing bridge and golf, taking up painting in her late 70s, and serving in Zoe Club, Midland County Medical Society Alliance, and the Midland Chapter of PEO.
In retirement, she and John wintered in Florida where she loved to sit in the sun and hang out in the "studio" where she and other snowbirds created beautiful works of art that were later displayed and judged at an annual art show.
Most recently, Grace lived at Primrose Retirement Community and was deeply grateful to her many sweet caregivers. She didn't see or hear well, and aphasia often made it hard for her to find the right words. Despite these challenges, she believed she was the luckiest person in the world.
Grace was predeceased by her grandmother; parents; and husband John. She is survived by her brother Jim Austin in Arizona; and daughters Deb (Jim) Badour, Sandra Haley, and Melinda (Terry Barckholtz) Shriner; grandchildren Stacey (Scott) Eley, Ryan (Allison) Badour, Shannon Haley, Claire (Matt) Ingersoll, Clay Barckholtz; great grandsons Maxwell Eley and Andrew Eley, Kai Badour; and several nieces and nephews.
Private interment will take place at Midland Memorial Gardens. A celebration of Grace's life will take place later this summer. Meanwhile, you are invited to support a scholarship fund at Gift of Grace Montessori School in Kalamazoo – named in Grace's honor and run by her oldest granddaughter. Learn more at giftofgracemontessori.org or send checks to The Grace Shriner Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Stacey Eley, 6339 Atlantic Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan 49009.