Shirley
Shirley Reber
Shirley passed away Sunday, April 3, 2022 at Ascension Borgess in Kalamazoo, welcomed home by her Lord and Savior.
She was born December 16, 1956 in Monett, Missouri, the daughter of Benjamin and Lena (Shields) Snadon. Shirley was a Missouri farm girl at heart. She met Cliff, her lifelong friend and confidant at Seneca High School. After graduation, these high school sweethearts married on November 22, 1974, in Joplin, Missouri. They shared 48 years together. Cliff’s military service and career meant several moves for the couple, giving them family across the country. Mandy was born in Germany and Shannon in Missouri. Cliff’s career brought them to Michigan two separate times until they finally settled in Martin, Michigan. Privacy and humility were her most dominant traits. She loved her role as a stay-at-home mother, caring for the needs of her family and the Handymen for Christ ministry. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, reading, creating art, and tending to the family’s many animals. She lived life by traditional values and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Otsego. Shirley served Otsego Baptist Academy as secretary for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Clifford L. Reber, daughters, Mandy (Trent) Kooienga of Grand Rapids and Shannon (Joel) Seachrist of Westfield, New York; grandchildren, Lauren, Macy and Chase; brothers, Clare Moore of Carthage, Missouri, Michael (Debbie) Moore of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Benjamin (Maria) Snadon of Kansas City, Missouri and Dennis Snadon of Tiff City, Missouri, sisters; Joyce (Lenny) Porter of Joplin, Missouri and Penny Snadon of Seneca, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her sister Ruth and brother Everette.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from noon to 3:00 pm on Friday, April 8, 2022 at the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church of Otsego. Pastors Paul Laborde and Steve Bauman will lead a Prayer and Scripture Service beginning at 1:00 pm on Friday at the Family Life Center.
Contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to Handymen for Christ or Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Shirley Reber
Condolence Messages
Kim Mitchell
April 5, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Shirley and Cliff were an inspiration to everyone that knew them . Their love for God and each other was so special. I loved Shirley for more than 50 years , She was my sister-in-law but also my friend. She was there with a kind word and a calming nature to help anyone that needed it . She is rejoicing in Heaven in Gods arms free from any Illness.. There is also a celebration going on for all her good works here on earth. What a reunion it was and still is in Heaven with everyone that went there before her. We’ll miss her but God didn’t want her to suffer anymore and called her home.
Reply
Phil & MaryAnn Stratton
April 5, 2022 at 2:31 pm
We are with heavy heart saying goodbye by to our friend Shirley as she’s been taken home to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven for eternity. As I look outside at this beautiful spring day I can only think of Shirley and her love for all of God creation. The new birth that God ordained from the beginning the animals, the flowers, the garden, etc… I’ll never be able to say all that’s on my heart as well as Shirley could. I’ll always remember her as a dear friend.
Your prayers and help have been more precious than I can say. We’ll continue to pray for you Cliff and the family as you trust in God for His ever present love, direction and healing
Reply
John Stockton
April 5, 2022 at 3:40 pm
I was never fortunate to meet Shirley. I met Cliff through a chance situation in Texas, with his sister Kim and her family. He was visiting Kim and his mother in Texas and was asked to do me a favor by taking me to a medical appointment. There was no hesitation.
I met Shirley on Facebook and saw the beauty in what she posted, her humor, her enjoyment of nature and her appreciation of her family. I was already friends with Cliff’s Mom and had met Shannon here in Texas.
Knowing Cliff for only a short time, I could tell by the way he talked how fortunate he felt to be spending his life with Shirley. That told me what a grand and caring lady she was.
She has gone to be cared for and nurtured by her God and in that way she is blessed. Her close friends and family feel the loss of her passing but grieving is part of the healing process.
So pray for her family. That’s undoubtedly what she would do.
Reply
Ruby and Jeremy Rogers
April 5, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Dearest Cliff and Family-
You guys are in our prayers at this time. We know we’re sadden of the loss our church family member but the quick sadness turns to praise knowing Shirley is no longer suffering and is with our loving heavenly father. We know how she was a true testimony and a quiet warrior but ran her race well. We appreciated her and cliff being a prayer warrior for our son Alan along with many other of the youth. We will miss her smiley face and laugh.
Reply
Renee Rosenberger
April 6, 2022 at 6:44 pm
I am so thankful I had the chance to be friends with Shirley , Cliff, and their beautiful daughters. I have many fond memories of times our families spent visiting after church. One of my favorite memories was sitting by Shirley during a Christmas Cantata . She sang a solo part, “No Room” and it was beautiful. I always admired how much Shirley loved God and those around her. She made people happy with her quick wit and kind heart.
I want to offer my deepest condolences to her family. I am praying for you.
Reply
Patricia "Burd" Clingenpeel
April 7, 2022 at 5:14 am
Cliff & girls, my heart goes out to you with the loss of Shirley. I am not sorry for her now being in the arms of our Lord Jesus. Now, without pain. God Bless Cliff & the girls. May they keep their mom’s memories alive always. I will miss her so much. God Bless All…
Reply
PATRICIA KEMP
April 7, 2022 at 2:53 pm
My love and prayers have been with Cliff the family and Shirley during this journey. The road led her to Jesus even though we wanted her here. May God comfort Cliff and all her loved ones during this difficult time.
Reply
Don & Connie Lavender
April 8, 2022 at 8:14 am
Shirley was loved by so many and will be missed by all of us. Our love, hugs, and prayer are with you, Cliff and family.. ❤
Reply
Arlene
April 8, 2022 at 11:42 am
Shirley was an amazing lady. I always enjoyed her humor and her out look on life . She always expressed her faith and love of the lord shine. Praying for all of you. Arlene (Roark) Mertens
Reply
Peggy
April 8, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Cliff and family, please accept my deepest sympathy. I know she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Peggy (Moss) Lounis, Class of “73” Seneca
Reply
Joe Laney
April 9, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Prayers to clif and girls, sorry for your loss she was a cousin that I wasnot around much but will miss her also,
Reply
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She was born December 16, 1956 in Monett, Missouri, the daughter of Benjamin and Lena (Shields) Snadon. Shirley was a Missouri farm girl at heart. She met Cliff, her lifelong friend and confidant at Seneca High School. After graduation, these high school sweethearts married on November 22, 1974, in Joplin, Missouri. They shared 48 years together. Cliff’s military service and career meant several moves for the couple, giving them family across the country. Mandy was born in Germany and Shannon in Missouri. Cliff’s career brought them to Michigan two separate times until they finally settled in Martin, Michigan. Privacy and humility were her most dominant traits. She loved her role as a stay-at-home mother, caring for the needs of her family and the Handymen for Christ ministry. She enjoyed gardening, yard work, reading, creating art, and tending to the family’s many animals. She lived life by traditional values and was a member of the First Baptist Church of Otsego. Shirley served Otsego Baptist Academy as secretary for many years.
Survivors include her husband, Clifford L. Reber, daughters, Mandy (Trent) Kooienga of Grand Rapids and Shannon (Joel) Seachrist of Westfield, New York; grandchildren, Lauren, Macy and Chase; brothers, Clare Moore of Carthage, Missouri, Michael (Debbie) Moore of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Benjamin (Maria) Snadon of Kansas City, Missouri and Dennis Snadon of Tiff City, Missouri, sisters; Joyce (Lenny) Porter of Joplin, Missouri and Penny Snadon of Seneca, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her sister Ruth and brother Everette.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from noon to 3:00 pm on Friday, April 8, 2022 at the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church of Otsego. Pastors Paul Laborde and Steve Bauman will lead a Prayer and Scripture Service beginning at 1:00 pm on Friday at the Family Life Center.
Contributions in memory of Shirley may be made to Handymen for Christ or Our Daily Bread Ministries.
Messages of condolence may be posted at www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Shirley Reber
Condolence Messages
Kim Mitchell
April 5, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Shirley and Cliff were an inspiration to everyone that knew them . Their love for God and each other was so special. I loved Shirley for more than 50 years , She was my sister-in-law but also my friend. She was there with a kind word and a calming nature to help anyone that needed it . She is rejoicing in Heaven in Gods arms free from any Illness.. There is also a celebration going on for all her good works here on earth. What a reunion it was and still is in Heaven with everyone that went there before her. We’ll miss her but God didn’t want her to suffer anymore and called her home.
Reply
Phil & MaryAnn Stratton
April 5, 2022 at 2:31 pm
We are with heavy heart saying goodbye by to our friend Shirley as she’s been taken home to be with her Lord and Savior in Heaven for eternity. As I look outside at this beautiful spring day I can only think of Shirley and her love for all of God creation. The new birth that God ordained from the beginning the animals, the flowers, the garden, etc… I’ll never be able to say all that’s on my heart as well as Shirley could. I’ll always remember her as a dear friend.
Your prayers and help have been more precious than I can say. We’ll continue to pray for you Cliff and the family as you trust in God for His ever present love, direction and healing
Reply
John Stockton
April 5, 2022 at 3:40 pm
I was never fortunate to meet Shirley. I met Cliff through a chance situation in Texas, with his sister Kim and her family. He was visiting Kim and his mother in Texas and was asked to do me a favor by taking me to a medical appointment. There was no hesitation.
I met Shirley on Facebook and saw the beauty in what she posted, her humor, her enjoyment of nature and her appreciation of her family. I was already friends with Cliff’s Mom and had met Shannon here in Texas.
Knowing Cliff for only a short time, I could tell by the way he talked how fortunate he felt to be spending his life with Shirley. That told me what a grand and caring lady she was.
She has gone to be cared for and nurtured by her God and in that way she is blessed. Her close friends and family feel the loss of her passing but grieving is part of the healing process.
So pray for her family. That’s undoubtedly what she would do.
Reply
Ruby and Jeremy Rogers
April 5, 2022 at 6:30 pm
Dearest Cliff and Family-
You guys are in our prayers at this time. We know we’re sadden of the loss our church family member but the quick sadness turns to praise knowing Shirley is no longer suffering and is with our loving heavenly father. We know how she was a true testimony and a quiet warrior but ran her race well. We appreciated her and cliff being a prayer warrior for our son Alan along with many other of the youth. We will miss her smiley face and laugh.
Reply
Renee Rosenberger
April 6, 2022 at 6:44 pm
I am so thankful I had the chance to be friends with Shirley , Cliff, and their beautiful daughters. I have many fond memories of times our families spent visiting after church. One of my favorite memories was sitting by Shirley during a Christmas Cantata . She sang a solo part, “No Room” and it was beautiful. I always admired how much Shirley loved God and those around her. She made people happy with her quick wit and kind heart.
I want to offer my deepest condolences to her family. I am praying for you.
Reply
Patricia "Burd" Clingenpeel
April 7, 2022 at 5:14 am
Cliff & girls, my heart goes out to you with the loss of Shirley. I am not sorry for her now being in the arms of our Lord Jesus. Now, without pain. God Bless Cliff & the girls. May they keep their mom’s memories alive always. I will miss her so much. God Bless All…
Reply
PATRICIA KEMP
April 7, 2022 at 2:53 pm
My love and prayers have been with Cliff the family and Shirley during this journey. The road led her to Jesus even though we wanted her here. May God comfort Cliff and all her loved ones during this difficult time.
Reply
Don & Connie Lavender
April 8, 2022 at 8:14 am
Shirley was loved by so many and will be missed by all of us. Our love, hugs, and prayer are with you, Cliff and family.. ❤
Reply
Arlene
April 8, 2022 at 11:42 am
Shirley was an amazing lady. I always enjoyed her humor and her out look on life . She always expressed her faith and love of the lord shine. Praying for all of you. Arlene (Roark) Mertens
Reply
Peggy
April 8, 2022 at 1:01 pm
Cliff and family, please accept my deepest sympathy. I know she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Peggy (Moss) Lounis, Class of “73” Seneca
Reply
Joe Laney
April 9, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Prayers to clif and girls, sorry for your loss she was a cousin that I wasnot around much but will miss her also,
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
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