Shirley Ann Benedict, 82

Shirley Ann Benedict, 82, beloved wife of Gerald Benedict (Jerry) passed away on July 15, 2016, in Sandpoint, Idaho, following several months of increasing health problems.

The Vigil Rosary will be said at 7 p.m. on Monday, July 18, 2016, in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. The Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 1 p.m., Tuesday, July 19, 2016 in St. Joseph’s Catholic Church with Father Dennis C. Day officiating. Inurnment will be at the Sowle Cemetery near Maple Rapids, Mich., at a later date.

Shirley was born on Nov. 17, 1933, in St. John’s, Mich., to Orla and Wilma Clark (Bolton), and graduated from Wilson High School in St. John’s in 1952.

She was the wife of Gerald for over 61 years. They met nearly 68 years ago when they both entered the ninth grade in high school. Following graduation, Shirley lived briefly in San Bernardino, Calif., returning to Lansing, Mich., where she was employed at an office supply store.

She married Jerry on April, 23, 1955, at the St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing. Her children are Allan (Kathleen) of Northville, Mich.; Susan Benedict (Jay Caroll) of White Salmon, Wash.; Jeffrey (Cathy) of Dunedin, Fla.; Elizabeth of Seattle and Robert of Sandpoint. She leaves four grandsons, David Hardesty, Allan and Ryan Benedict and Jesse Huttman; and a granddaughter, Breanna; as well as several nephews and nieces.

Shirley was active in her church, serving as the president of the Altar Society. She also was a member of the retired federal employees association and served as the treasurer, secretary and vice president of the Sandpoint chapter. She was an animal lover and in her youth as a farm girl, she raised many injured animals, turning them into household pets, such as pheasant, raccoons, rabbits and even a sparrow hawk. She also had the usual farm pets such as lambs, piglets, chickens and of course cats and dogs.

Shirley enjoyed working in her flower and herb gardens and was an avid reader of mystery stories. She and Jerry moved to Sandpoint in 1989 from Kentucky following his retirement in 1983 from the U.S. Department of Treasury. During Jerry’s 24 year service as a special agent with the ATF, Shirley had to move seven times and she became adept at setting up new households and making new friends.

Shirley was preceded in by her parents and two sisters, Donna Love and Glenna Stackable.

Memorial may be made to the St. Joseph’s building fund or the Panhandle Animal Shelter.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook, for Shirley, at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Coffelt Funeral Service of Sandpoint.