Shirley Matthias
March 17th, 1937 - May 5th, 2025
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Shirley's Obituary
Shirley A. Matthias, age 88, entered into the light with Jesus, her Savior, on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 2:02 a.m.
A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Hickory Bluff Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in Shirley’s memory may be directed to First Congregational Church Music Ministry.
Shirley’s life began March 17, 1937 when Shirley gently slipped from the hand of God to her waiting earthly parents, Donald and Dare Schoonmaker. She grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan where she developed her love of water. Shirley was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and followed her interest in theatre and participated in plays and music productions. Shirley then graduated from Hillsdale College where she majored in Fine Arts. While there, she held two offices in the Chi Omega Fraternity and was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota music organization. Shirley met the love of her life, Richard Matthias, at Hillsdale and they married after her graduation on June 20, 1959. Shirley and Richard made their home in Stevensville, MI where they raised their three children.
Shirley worked as a swimming teacher and later as Aquatic Director at the YWCA in St. Joseph. She then worked as a Floral Designer at H & J Florist which brought her back to her love of art and design.
Shirley and Richard loved to travel and took many trips both in the U.S. and Europe. One such trip was down the Mississippi River from St. Joseph to New Orleans on their sailboat, about which she wrote a small book, published as a 3-part article in Cruising World magazine. Shirley and Richard were also involved in set design and stage crew for community dance recitals. In addition to sailing, she enjoyed bowling, sewing, arts and crafts, playing bridge, and her precious family. Shirley also enjoyed singing in the church choir and was a choir member for over 50 years.
Shirley is survived by her children, Tehra Qualls, Mark Matthias, and Bethany (John) Teifke; seven grandchildren, Joshua, Ashleigh, Patrick, Nicholas, Katie, John, and Cayleigh; five great-grandchildren; and nephew and nieces, Eric, Eden and Jenny. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard of 64 years, her parents, and brother, Donovon “Schoony”.
A service celebrating her life will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 2001 Niles Ave., St. Joseph, MI 49085. Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service, from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Burial will be at Hickory Bluff Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in Shirley’s memory may be directed to First Congregational Church Music Ministry.
Shirley’s life began March 17, 1937 when Shirley gently slipped from the hand of God to her waiting earthly parents, Donald and Dare Schoonmaker. She grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan where she developed her love of water. Shirley was a graduate of Benton Harbor High School and followed her interest in theatre and participated in plays and music productions. Shirley then graduated from Hillsdale College where she majored in Fine Arts. While there, she held two offices in the Chi Omega Fraternity and was also a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota music organization. Shirley met the love of her life, Richard Matthias, at Hillsdale and they married after her graduation on June 20, 1959. Shirley and Richard made their home in Stevensville, MI where they raised their three children.
Shirley worked as a swimming teacher and later as Aquatic Director at the YWCA in St. Joseph. She then worked as a Floral Designer at H & J Florist which brought her back to her love of art and design.
Shirley and Richard loved to travel and took many trips both in the U.S. and Europe. One such trip was down the Mississippi River from St. Joseph to New Orleans on their sailboat, about which she wrote a small book, published as a 3-part article in Cruising World magazine. Shirley and Richard were also involved in set design and stage crew for community dance recitals. In addition to sailing, she enjoyed bowling, sewing, arts and crafts, playing bridge, and her precious family. Shirley also enjoyed singing in the church choir and was a choir member for over 50 years.
Shirley is survived by her children, Tehra Qualls, Mark Matthias, and Bethany (John) Teifke; seven grandchildren, Joshua, Ashleigh, Patrick, Nicholas, Katie, John, and Cayleigh; five great-grandchildren; and nephew and nieces, Eric, Eden and Jenny. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard of 64 years, her parents, and brother, Donovon “Schoony”.
Service Details
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