Shirley Klueter Obituary

Shirley Elizabeth Klueter

Shirley Elizabeth (Groom) Klueter, 94, was welcomed with open arms by the Lord on Saturday, June 3, 2023.

Loving mom, grandma, sister, friend, and bright ray of sunshine, Shirley was born June 2, 1929, in Bellaire, to Audrey F. and Grace (Spring) Groom.

Shirley is dearly missed by her daughter, Kristie (Kevin) Kern of Akron; grandchildren, Brian Klueter of Columbus, Natalie (Kyle) Bostelman of Durham, North Carolina, and Kenton Kern of Akron; stepgrandchild, Jace Jones-Kern of Ypsilanti, Michigan; great-grandson, Kayden Bostelman of Durham; daughter-in-law, Sarah; brother, David (Joan) Groom of Charlotte, North Carolina; five nieces and nephews; 11 great-nieces and great-nephews; and close cousins, Phil David, Mark David, and Marion Cremer.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 57 years, Robert V. "Bob" Klueter in 2015; son, Timothy Klueter in 2022; and dear aunt, Maxyne David in 2023.

Shirley had wonderful memories of her childhood and especially loved spending weekends and summers on her grandparents' farm. After graduating from Bellaire High School in 1947, she attended Miami University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education in 1951. While at Miami, she made special life-long friends, nine of whom continued to correspond with each other for the next 73 years.

After teaching in Shadyside for three years, Shirley decided to pursue a Master of Music degree, which she completed at University of Michigan in 1957. While in Ann Arbor, she met her husband, Bob, at a Methodist church youth group picnic and it didn't take them long to decide on a life-long commitment. They were married Aug. 16, 1958, in a beautiful church wedding in Bellaire, and spent their month-long honeymoon in New York City, New England, Montreal, Toronto, and Niagara Falls.

After teaching vocal music at Roosevelt Junior High in Columbus, the pair bought a weekly newspaper in McComb where Shirley continued her teaching career at McComb High School. In 1963, they moved to Findlay where they bought and ran Millstream Press. After taking nine years off to raise their children, Shirley accepted her final position as Kindergarten-4th grade vocal music teacher at Cory-Rawson Elementary, where she spent 21 years and was known to put on elaborate, costumed operettas. She loved working with the children and they loved her.

Shirley was active in her church, St. Mark's United Methodist, where she sang in the choir and was a member of United Methodist Women and Administrative Council. She was an excellent cook and baker of homemade dinner rolls, pecan rolls, and lemon meringue pie. She was blessed with many long-term close friendships, most especially those of Grace Marihugh and Betty Fritz. She was a loyal and selfless caregiver, had a deep and steadfast love for her children, was quick to forgive, and lived in hope and faith. She had a bright smile, heart of gold, and generous spirit which endeared her to so many. Our loss here on this earth is most certainly Heaven's gain.

Shirley's celebration of life will be 1 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2023, at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 800 South Main Street, Findlay. Visitation will be 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday at the church.

Memorials may be made to St. Mark's United Methodist Church or Findlay City Mission.

Arrangements have been entrusted to COLDREN-CRATES FUNERAL HOME.

Online condolences can be expressed to the family by visiting coldrencrates.com.