Shirley English

Shirley Ann English, 73, of Cranesville, died Friday, May 26, 2017 at St. Vincent Hospital. She was born in Erie on December 5, 1943, the daughter of the late Robert J. and Edith E. Russin.

She was a member of the Franklin Center United Methodist Church for over 50 years.

Shirley spent her childhood in North Girard (now Lake City) then moved with her family to a farm in Cranesville where she spent her teenage years and graduated from General McLane High School in 1963. While at General McLane she belonged to the Future Homemakers of America and was crowned Miss Future Farmer of America. After she graduated, a blind date with Air Force veteran, Daniel English, led to love and a wedding at Franklin Center United Methodist Church on May 15,1965. They honeymooned with a romantic road trip to historic Virginia. Shirley and Dan spent the first years of their marriage living in apartments, first in Millcreek on Beechgrove Drive, then later on Liberty Street in Erie, when their first daughter was born. Before the birth of their second daughter, they move to Franklin Center and then in 1973, they moved to Mohawk Road, where they spent the rest of their married life together.

Shirley worked at numerous places throughout her life, including Elgin Labs, Marx Toys, Best Western, Avonia Egg Farm, and as an Avon Representative, but was most known and loved for her last job as Manager at Mr. Donut in Edinboro.

Bowling with the Edinboro bowling league, the Edinboro Keglers, she went to state with her team numerous times in the 70’s. Over the years, Shirley also served at Franklin Center United Methodist Church in various capacities, including Sunday School Director. She helped with countless dinners, worked many falls at the Albion Fair and was active in the Women’s Circle. Always showing up early to church, whether it was her turn to greet or not, Shirley was ready with a smile and a hug for everyone who came through the doors.

When her oldest joined the navy, Shirley had the opportunity to visit places she never thought she’d see. Sometimes joined by her husband, sometimes her daughter, and often her sister-in-law, Marge, she traveled to far off places like Yokosuka, Japan, Guam, Hawaii, and closer to home, Rantoul IL, San Diego CA, Corpus Christi TX, and the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

Survivors include her loving husband, Daniel of 52 years and 11 days; two daughters, Jill (Jon) Johnston of New Braunfels, TX, Jodie (John) Murphy of Edinboro; two brothers, Robert (Shirley) Russin of Girard and Dennis (Eileen) Russin of Edinboro, and sister-in-law and travel companion, Marge Wagner of Erie; also 7 grandchildren, Heather, Daniel, Jon, Sean, Ryan, Katelyn, and Kaitlyn and 4 great-grandchildren, Scarlette, Donnie, Kaylee and Brooke.

No calling hours will be observed. A memorial service will be held on Saturday June 3, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Bob Klingler, Rev. Denny Belknap, and Rev. Barb English officiating.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Franklin Center United Methodist Church, 7471 Old State Road Edinboro, PA 16412. To send condolences and for expanded bio, please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.