Doris M. Shirk

Doris Mae Shirk, 90 of Gaylord, passed away January 14, 2017 at home.Doris was born in Detroit to Ollie “Jack” and Margaret Brown on September 7, 1926. She attended Lake Shore High School. She married twice and divorced twice. She raised her three children. She loved her family and friends and devoted herself to them. Doris was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Jacqueline; brother, Richard and son, Wayne.

She was introduced to “island life” in 1949 when invited to visit South Manitou Island. Doris’ parents bought a cottage in 1957. She arranged her life in the pursuit of island time. She returned to the workforce to drive a school bus, allowing her to spend summers full time with her family on South Manitou Island. She bought the “Tour” business from Ed and Esther Riker in 1972. Doris and her sons John (16) and Wayne (14) helped her with the family business. Doris often opened her mainland and island homes to her children’s friends and for young women in distress. Several young women lived with Doris and became her family at one time or another. She continued this into her golden years with her good friend, Dottie. Doris bought 50% of “The Beachcomber” on Beaver Island. When her 96 year old mother required 24/7 care and refused to move to Beaver Island, Doris sold what she loved and moved to Gaylord to take care of her. Doris lived a simple, humble life giving away almost everything she earned in her lifetime to helping others that were less fortunate.

Doris is survived by her daughter, Terri Ann Liller (Dixie) of Algonac; her son, John (Felicia) Shirk of Fenton; three grandchildren, Rebecca (Gary) Gehringer Sr of Gaylord, Alexis Shirk and Cassandra Shirk both of Fenton; and a great-grandson David Wujek of Ypsilanti.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to her numerous friends who offered their prayers, visits and support to Doris and the family over the past few months.

The family has chosen to remember her privately. Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com