WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Shirley Ann Poortenga, age 66, of Colon, passed away Thursday evening, April 28, 2011, at Sturgis Hospital.
Shirley was born May 25, 1944, in Danville, Ill., a daughter of the late Jacob and Esther (Witvoet) Kuipers.
On Sept. 22, 1961, she married Alvin J. Poortenga in Chicago Heights, Ill. She had made her home in Colon on Long Lake, since 1994 coming from Lansing, Ill.
Shirley was a homemaker and loved time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren at there lake home.
She is survived by her husband, Alvin J. Poortenga of Colon; three daughters, Pamela (Remo) Garritano of Jacksonville, Fla., Crystal (Daniel) Powers of Lansing, Ill., and Robin Barnett of Mississippi; a son, Michael (Kelli) Poortenga of Colon; 11 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Sharyn (Jerry) Watts of Lynwood, Ill.; and five foster sisters.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Schipper Funeral Home, 308 S. Blackstone Ave., Colon. Funeral Services celebrating the life of Shirley Poortenga will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Glenn Middleton officiating.
A graveside committal service and burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Colon.
If desired, the family suggest memorials be made in memory of Shirley to either the ST-Dystonia Foundation or the Colon Community Park. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
