Shirley Ann Carmichael, born May 2, 1935, in Erie, Michigan, passed away peacefully October 13, 2026 in her Temperance, Michigan home in the loving presence of her daughter, Anne. She was 91years old.
Shirley was a homemaker for most of her life, who kept a meticulous home, filled with warmth, laughter, and the aroma of baked goods. She was fiercely loyal to her family and served as a Girl Scout troop leader, performed ear piercings for family and friends, a skill she honed over the years and one that was certainly more successful than the haircuts she gave her sons, a fact that the family still laughs about.
The family has fond memories of summer vacation spent relaxing at a cottage on Bear Lake. After raising four wonderful adults, she and her husband Ron, spent time travelling with her sisters to Northern Michigan, Canada, and Branson, Missouri, for tours and gambling. Shirley was the envy of all who played the slot machines.
In later years, she still was a formidable gambler even while using a walker, having to be pulled out of the Casino by her sons. She loved gathering with friends to play Bunco, and Euchre, and to cheer on her beloved Red Wings. In fact, she was such a huge fan of this hockey team that she broke a bone in her hand cheering for them! Shirley was very artistic and creative evidenced by her handmade ceramics, dolls, wedding cakes, various crafts that she and Ron sold on the road, and of course the beautiful landscaping of all her homes.
Throughout all her life, those who knew her best remember her for her outgoing and outspoken personality, never holding back her opinion, saying exactly what she thought. She had a vibrant sense of humor and loved playing pranks on anyone she could.
She is survived by her sisters, Phyllis Bartel and Mary Adams; three children, Edward (Melody) Carmichael, Paul (Tammie) Carmichael and Anne (John) Montion; son-in law, Bill Born; grandchildren, Kyle, Dennis Robinson, Emily, Amy, Jennifer, Garrett, Haley, and Kelly and many great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Edna (Mominee) Burgard; husband Ronald; daughter, Audrey Born and granddaughter, Lyndsey.
Visitation will be Thursday, October 22, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the Urbanski’s Bedford Funeral Chapel 8300 Lewis Ave., Temperance, MI. The funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, October 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church 8330 Lewis Ave., Temperance, MI where visiting will begin after 10:00 a.m. in the narthex. Burial will follow in Toledo Memorial Park Cemetery, Sylvania, OH. Online condolences may be shared at www.bedfordfuneralchapel.com
