Shirley Henry

Shirley L. Henry, 86, of Battle Creek, Michigan died peacefully on Saturday, July 3, 2021 in Carmel, Indiana.  She was born on July 27, 1934 in Waterloo, Indiana to George W. and Bertha (Schiek) Speer.  She was a 1952 graduate of Waterloo High School and a 1957 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in Physical Education.  Upon her graduation, Shirley accepted a teaching position at WK Kellogg Junior High School and moved to Battle Creek.  On November 25, 1959, Shirley married Richard A. Henry at the Evangelical United Brethren Church in Waterloo, Indiana.  Richard and Shirley were married 55 years at the time of his death on May 19, 2015. Together, Richard and Shirley started the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on January 1, 1964.  As the business grew, Shirley resigned from her teaching position in 1965 and began working with Richard at the funeral home.  Shirley enjoyed being outdoors and loved animals, horses and dogs in particular.  She was a gardener, a bicyclist, and avid photographer.  Shirley was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Battle Creek.  In 2019, Shirley moved to Carmel, Indiana. She is survived by her brother Philip (Linda) Speer of Auburn, Indiana, niece Michelle (Roger) Helmkamp and their children, Andrew (Brooke), Michael, and Lydia Helmkamp all of Carmel, Indiana, niece Kimberly Kiefer and her children Hannah, Samuel, and Colin Kiefer, all of Phoenix, Arizona, nephew Timothy (Sarah)Speer and their children, Miriam, Vivian, Felicity, Simon, and Ezekiel of Auburn, Indiana.  In addition to her husband, Richard, she was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Douglas Speer.  Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home with Rev. Patricia Weatherwax officiating. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Memorial Donations may be made to the Binder Park Zoo. www.henryfuneralhome.org