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Shirley A. Gerst, age 83, of Temperance, MI, died Tuesday, August 16, 2016.  Born June 14, 1933, in Toledo, OH, she was the daughter of John Edward and Della (Himebaugh) Keller.  A 1951 graduate of the former Libbey High School, she married Richard Gerst on June 18, 1952 in Toledo, OH.  He preceded her in death on July 17, 2007. They raised a family and enjoyed many friends during the 56 years they had together. After Dick’s death Shirley found a soul mate with David Mohler, who was a friend to both for many years. David stayed by her side to the very last minute of Shirley’s life.

Shirley embraced every day with her adventurous spirit. She showed her children hard work as a switchboard operator for the Lion Store for 25 years, helping at the family business, Temperance Ace Hardware, and was a Bedford school bus driver for 25 years. She did this while maintaining a healthy family household and a beautiful home and garden. The family was active in camping, sports, and travel, which took them all over the country. Shirley poured her love into her children.

She showed her creativity in many ways embracing various forms of art, music, cooking, gardening, theatre and singing. She took art classes at the Art Museum and made jewelry; performed in theater and danced with the folk dancers of the Toledo Turners, and for many years, sang with the Swiss Singers. She happily entertained friends and family in her home and beautiful yard and garden.

Shirley was a committed golfer, playing on leagues for years. She was also a very good bridge player. Shirley would jump at the opportunity to have fun and enjoy her physicality; she rode her bicycle across the state of Michigan, would take her kids to snow ski, skate, boat, fish, or play games. She worked out regularly (and would amaze people if she told her age).  Shirley and David shared the excitement of traveling the world together.

Shirley was a member of the Toledo Swiss Singers, Greater Beneficial Union of Pittsburgh, Toledo Turners, and Bedford School Retirees.

Shirley is survived by her loving children, William (Jeanne) Gerst and Beth (Dane) Vollmar. She enjoyed 3 grandchildren, Eric  (Christy) and Stephen Gerst and Josi Vollmar, and 4 great grandchildren, Kalise, Beau, Grace and Ruby Gerst.  She was preceded in death by a daughter, Becky Gerst, son, Robert Gerst and brother, Edward Keller.

Shirley will be greatly missed by her children; grandchildren; David and his children, Julie, James and Michael; and his grandchildren; along with Shirley’s nieces and nephews Tom, Kathi, Dale, Janet, Dan, Anne, Michael, Joan, Paul and Leslie Dreps.

Visitation will be 4-9 pm Friday, August 19, 2016, at the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI,  where funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 20, 2016.  Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or American Turners Toledo.  www.pawlakfuneralhome.com