Shirley M. Tegels

Shirley M. Tegels passed away peacefully Friday morning, July 12, 2013, with her family and friends surrounding her. Shirley was born, as she would tell you, July 21, 19??, daughter of the late Fredric and Matilda (Gee) Steinka. She was raised on her parent's Hubbard Circle farm, and attended the one room Hubbard School. Shirley and her family had been lifelong members of Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.

She learned cooking on the farm and started her food service career at the Fish & Chips across from the Dow Plant on Jefferson Road; she was a waitress and a cook at the Brown Derby Supper Club. In 1954, Shirley moved to the Old Hickory House, doing hostess and chef duties before working her way up to co-owner with her dear friend, Jack Hoogerhyde. In 1986, after selling her stake in the Hickory House, Shirley and her daughter, Darlene, combined their names and opened Shirlene's Cuisine Inc. restaurant, along with their husbands. She loved working with food, the public and valued family and friends most of all. She will always be remembered for her kind heart and warm smile. Shirley retired in 1995 due to a stroke and was able to stay in her home, thanks to stepgrandson, Lewis Thompson, and many wonderful caregivers.

Shirley had a real passion for cooking and used those skills to meet the love of her life, Vincent A. Tegels, whom she married on July 30, 1960. Vince died March 11, 2009. Together Vince and Shirley raised four children, Fred (Carol) Shufelt of Hutchinson, Minn., Bob (and the late Sandy) Shufelt of Mt. Pleasant, Darlene Klemkosky (Louie) Thompson of Hope, and the late Eddie Shufelt. She is also survived by her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dan (Sue) Tegels of Grand Ledge, Fran Baker of Grand Ledge, and Vivian (Norm) Kemph of Lansing; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by her six brothers; also by Bessy and Lawrence Tegels, Dennis Tegels, Rita Tegels, George and Kay Kuschlain, Roger Klemkosky and Brian Klemkosky; and other family and friends.

The funeral liturgy will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Tuesday, July 16, 2013, at Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church, 3516 E. Monroe Rd., at Jefferson. Father Joseph M. Griffin will officiate, with graveside burial rites in Old Calvary Cemetery. Shirley's family will receive friends at the Ware-Smith-Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 W. Wheeler St., today from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m., and at the church on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of the liturgy. A vigil for the deceased will take place at 7 p.m. this evening at the funeral home. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church or their favorite charity. Memorials and condolences to the family may be made online at www.waresmithwoolever.com

One thing Shirley said often and wants you to remember is "I Love You!"