Shirley Frances Maerz, 84, of New Buffalo, MI, and formerly of Michigan City, IN, died peacefully at 12 a.m. Thursday, May 7, 2015, at Hospice Franciscan Communities in Michigan City.
She was born March 1, 1931, in Michigan City to Hollie R. and Theresa (Mazur) Hancock.
Shirley was a loving wife and mother. She enjoyed making crafts and loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren very much. Shirley loved making things with her hands and giving away her handcrafts to others.
On Sept. 23, 1949, in LaPorte, she married Frank Edward Maerz Jr., who preceded her in death Sept. 15, 2014.
Also preceding her in death were her parents; sisters, Delores West and LaVerne Struyf; brothers, Robert and LeRoy Hancock; half-sister, Pauline Webb; and half-brother, Earl Hancock.
Surviving are three children, Judi (Eldon) Seal of New Buffalo, Rodney (Sonyo) Maerz of Texas and Brian (Jennifer) Maerz of Galien, MI; three sisters, Mae Pitman, Sylvia White and Corine (Ernie) Hollihan, all of Michigan City; sister-in-law, Barbara Hancock of Michigan City; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service celebrating the lives of Shirley and Frank Maerz Jr. will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory, LaPorte, with Rev. Dr. Dennis Carroll officiating. Visitation will be held Friday from 1 p.m. until the service. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, New Buffalo.
In lieu of flowers and in honor of Shirley’s life, do something special for a child.
Messages of condolence may be posted below on WNLP, as well as at www.LakeviewFHC.com.