Nov. 19, 1922 - Feb. 2, 2012

GOSHEN — Grace S. Shirk, 89, of rural Goshen, died at the home of her daughter, after many years of struggle with dementia, on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012.

She was born Nov. 19, 1922, to Joseph E. and Mary (Shaum) Martin near Wakarusa. On Jan. 1, 1944, she was united in marriage with Ben M. Shirk by her father, Bishop Joseph E. Martin.

She is survived by five sons and five daughters, Bertha (Melvin) Zimmerman of Decker, Mich., Anna Mary (Roy) Zimmerman of Goshen (with whom she resided), Ben W. (Rosemary) Shirk of Goshen, John Shirk of Decker, Paul (Vada) Shirk of Macon, Miss., Reba (the late Weldon) Zimmerman of Decker, Esther Mae (Donald) Martin of Decker, Kevin (Edith) Shirk of Brooksville, Miss., Ellen (Jerry) Martin of Sandusky, Mich., and Dana (Carol) Shirk of Cass City, Mich. Also surviving are 51 living grandchildren; 133 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Namaan of Wakarusa, Allen of Goshen, Rufus of Nappanee and Ben of Timberville, Va.; four sisters, Edna (the late Clayton) Brubaker of Nappanee, Miriam (David) Hoover of Goshen, Rhoda (Leonard) Martin of Goshen and Suetta (James) Bechtel of Goshen; and two sisters-in-law, Katie Martin of Nappanee and Mary Martin of Goshen.

She was preceded in death by four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dan and Jason; and six sisters, Barbara Brubacher, Susie Ramer, Ida Ramer, Emma Ramer, Bertha Martin and Ruth Brubaker.

Grace accepted Christ as her savior and lived a life devoted to the Lord and to her family. She always loved flowers, and small children were a delight to her even until the last months of her life.

The family wishes to thank friends and neighbors for your gifts of food and encouragement in this time of sorrow.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today and from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at RMYC (Ramer Mennonite Youth Center) on C.R. 44 between 11 and 13. A 9 a.m. Monday prayer service will be conducted at RMYC before leaving in procession for the 10 a.m. funeral service at Yellow Creek Wisler Mennonite Church, Goshen. The Home Ministry will officiate. Burial will follow in Yellow Creek Wisler Cemetery, Goshen. Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

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