Shirley Wiltenburg, 84, of Conklin, Michigan, went to her heavenly home on Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. at the Adams - Heritage Nursing Home in Monroeville, Indiana where she had been a resident since January. Shirley was born on October 31, 1930 in Grand Haven, Michigan, the daughter of Harry Bishop and Jeanette (Koetsier) Bishop who both preceded her in death. Following her birth, she was baptized into the Lutheran faith at St. John Lutheran Church, Grand Haven, Michigan. She received the rite of confirmation in the Lutheran Church also at St. John and remained in her faith until her death Wednesday. Shirley met a young man at a Walther League meeting by the name of Melvin Wiltenburg and on August 26, 1950, they were united in marriage in St. John Lutheran Church in Grand Haven, Michigan. On February 1, 2005 he preceded her in death after 54 years of marriage. Their marriage was blessed with 3 children: Barbara (Melvin) Buescher of Waterloo, Iowa; Vicki (Mark) Schallhorn of Decatur, Indiana; and Robert (Robin) Wiltenburg of Conklin, Michigan. She is also survived by 2 brothers: Elwood (Mary) Bishop of Grand Haven, Michigan and Gary (Mary) Bishop of Spring Lake, Michigan; a sister: Wilma (Arnold) Reenders of Grand Haven, Michigan; 2 Sisters-in-law: Garnet Runstrom of Zeeland, Michigan and Delores Bouwkamp also of Zeeland, Michigan; 7 Grandchildren: Tara Wiltenburg, Rebecca (Jonathan) Liebich, Rachel (Ryan) Bredow, Jessica (Andrew) Gavrun, Jonathan (Sarah) Buescher, Sarah (Matt) Klaasen, and Angela (Brian) Horning; and 13 Great-Grandchildren. Shirley was preceded in death by 2 sisters: Eleanor Kiebach and Luella Lanning; 1 brother: Harry Bishop Jr. Shirley was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Conklin, Michigan where she was also the organist for many years, a talent that passed down to a daughter and granddaughter. After her marriage, Shirley enjoyed being a mother to her growing family. In addition, she also worked at Sackner Products Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan. A memorial service for Shirley will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 3, 2015 in the Trinity Lutheran Church, Conklin, Michigan with Rev. Mark Oswald officiating. Friends and family will be received for one hour prior to the service at the church and interment will follow the service in the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery. Preferred memorials in memory of Shirley can be made to the Trinity Lutheran School, Conklin, Michigan.
