Richard L. Shirah

Richard L. Shirah of Kalamazoo, passed away Wednesday, February 27, 2013 in Kalamazoo. Richard was born June 4, 1942 in Kalamazoo, the son of Douglas and Virginia (Goricki) Shirah. He was a member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Parchment. Richard loved this community and believed it to be a great place to raise his family. He worked at the Gibson Guitar Company in Kalamazoo for 25 years, Beach Products for 10 years, and Pfizer for the last 12 years. Richard is survived by his wife, Jacqueline (Yeakey) Shirah, to whom he was married for 49 years; children Lisa (James) Reynolds of Parchment, Todd Shirah of Kalamazoo and Dana (Scott) Ouellette of Belleville, MI; 5 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; brother James Shirah of Tucson, AZ, and several nieces and nephews. A memorial Mass will be celebrated Friday, March 8th at 11:00am at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Fr. Lipka, celebrant. Private burial will take place at Mt. Olivet Cemetery later that day. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, University of Michigan Organ Transplant Program and American Cancer Society. Arrangements by Parchment Redmond Funeral Home, 2300 East G Ave., 269-349-7735. www.redmondfuneralhomes.net