Shirley Dekker, aged 97, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Neal and Ann DeKraker, husband Jack Dekker, son-in-law Thomas Nichols, and brother-in-law John Batts.
Shirley is survived by daughter Julie Nichols and son Thomas (Carol) Dekker of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Sister Nancy Batts. Grandchildren Jeffrey (Roxanne) Wood, Joel (Ellie) Wood, Christopher (Shannon) Dekker, and Lindsay (Cory) Reiter. Great-grandchildren: Ryan, Andrew, Audrina, Scott, Samantha, Cade, Caleb, and Stevie. Fondly remembered by many nephews and close friends, especially her wintertime friends from High Noon Beach Resort in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida.
Shirley was born July 17th, 1924 to Neal and Ann DeKraker. She graduated from Central High School and attended Grand Rapids Junior College. She soon after met and married the love of her life, Jack Dekker, whom she remained married to for 66 years. Jack was sent to fight in World War II, and Shirley supported the war effort by working at American Seating. She was an avid volunteer, spending several years serving at the Butterworth Hospital with the Sally Bender Guild. Shirley worked for many years in the Greater Grand Rapids area as a realtor, where her impeccable social graces and warm personality helped her excel.
She and Jack particularly loved vacationing every winter at the High Noon Beach Resort in Southern Florida, where now three generations of Shirley’s family escape the harsh Michigan winter every year. They enjoyed a mutual love for all things U of M.
Well done, Sweet Shirl. Well done.
A memorial service will be held at Metcalf & Jonkhoff funeral home on Tuesday December 14, 2021 at 4:00 pm with a visitation one hour prior to service time from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The University of Michigan or The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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