1949
Shirley
2022
Shirley Ellen Thomas
April 29, 1949 — August 25, 2022
Shirley Ellen Thomas, age 73 of Muskegon, passed away on Thursday, August 25, 2022, at Mercy-Trinity Hospital in Muskegon due to injuries she suffered in an automobile accident. She was born in Muskegon on April 29, 1949, the daughter of the late Jeff and Velma (Lynch) Cave. She was also preceded in death by her brother, William Cave.
Shirley lived in Muskegon all of her life and was a graduate of Orchard View High School Class of 1967. She was employed by American Coil Springs for many years and then retired from Sappi Paper Mill. She founded and operated Golden Years Alaskan Malamute Rescue until her health forced her to resign in 2018.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Thomas of Muskegon; her two daughters, Dawn (Mike) Pregont of Oregon, IL, and Heather (Chris) Chilcoat of Columbus, OH; her brother, Chuck (Jayne) Cave of Grand Haven; her sister, Jan (Tom) Vanderwall of Dayton, TN; her granddaughter, Nadia VanderKolk; and her grandson, Matthew VanderKolk, both of Oregon, IL.
Graveside funeral services for Shirley will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Fruitland Township Cemetery in Muskegon with Rev. Chad Fessenden officiating.
The family is being cared for by Sytsema Chapel on Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s name to Golden Years Alaskan Malamute Rescue, 2430 Lorenson Rd., Muskegon, MI 49445.
Shirley lived in Muskegon all of her life and was a graduate of Orchard View High School Class of 1967. She was employed by American Coil Springs for many years and then retired from Sappi Paper Mill. She founded and operated Golden Years Alaskan Malamute Rescue until her health forced her to resign in 2018.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, John Thomas of Muskegon; her two daughters, Dawn (Mike) Pregont of Oregon, IL, and Heather (Chris) Chilcoat of Columbus, OH; her brother, Chuck (Jayne) Cave of Grand Haven; her sister, Jan (Tom) Vanderwall of Dayton, TN; her granddaughter, Nadia VanderKolk; and her grandson, Matthew VanderKolk, both of Oregon, IL.
Graveside funeral services for Shirley will be held on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at Fruitland Township Cemetery in Muskegon with Rev. Chad Fessenden officiating.
The family is being cared for by Sytsema Chapel on Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI.
Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley’s name to Golden Years Alaskan Malamute Rescue, 2430 Lorenson Rd., Muskegon, MI 49445.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Ellen Thomas, please visit our flower store.
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Graveside Funeral
Tuesday, August 30, 2022
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Fruitland Township Cemetery
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