Shirley Benner

The family of Shirley I. Benner sadly shares the news of her passing. After a struggle with cancer, she passed at the age of 89 with her daughters and family around her on July 12, 2026.  Shirley was born in Cedar Springs, MI to Carlton and Phyllis (Metzger) Eadie.  She was preceded in death by Roy, her loving husband of 71 years; her parents; brothers, Keith Eadie and Dale Eadie; daughter Lauri Brower; son-in-law’s, Howard Smith and David Draper; grandson’s, Daniel Jousma and Phillip Jousma; and great granddaughter, Breanna Otto.  She is survived by her daughters, Deborah (Cal) Karsten, Judy Smith, Christy (Marty)  Walker, Gale Draper, Kim (Gary) Donker; 13 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren; 9 great great grandchildren; siblings, Russell (Shirley) Eadie, Kay Alverson, Marge (Carl) Alverson, Richard (Tanya) Eadie, Larry (Deb) Eadie and Phil (Deborah) Eadie; many nieces and nephews. Shirley loved to travel.  She and Roy would pack up the girls and would travel north, south, east or west every summer and go camping on the weekends.  When Roy worked out of state, she took leave from work and went to wherever Roy was working. Upon retirement from GM after 25 years, the two of them would hook up the Airstream trailer and start off on a journey to wherever the road would lead them.  Their goal was to visit every national park and see every state, including Alaska and Denali & Glacier Bay National Parks.   If Roy didn’t want to go somewhere that she wanted to go, that didn’t stop her.  She would simply ask her sister(s) or daughter(s) to take the adventure with her. Her patient, committed and unconditional love of her family and friends was a living testament to her love of the Lord.  By example, she taught her children to love the Lord, to be faithful, strong and independent. The “light-of-her-life” where the grandchildren and great grands – especially the babies.  She “loved” on them all. Shirley was a crafter (knitting and cross stitch being most memorable), garage sale treasure hunter (her favorite spot was the Ropa in Texas!) and a woman who loved to play cribbage, cards and dominos. Shirley (mom), you have left our earthly life, but you will never leave our hearts.  We will always miss you and love you. A celebration of life service will be held at 11am on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at Alaska Baptist Church, 7240 – 68th St.  SE, Caledonia, MI  49316 with a visitation from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. A luncheon will follow at 12:00 p.m.  A grave side committal will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery, 2894 Patterson Ave.  SE, Grand Rapids, MI  49512 following the lunch. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com.