Shirley Polak

Shirley Anne (Swafford) Polak, 81, of Galesburg, Michigan, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at Kairos Dwelling Hospice Facility. She was born on July 22, 1944, in Battle Creek, Michigan the daughter of Claud and Virgie (Herrell) Swafford.

Shirley was a 1962 graduate of Lakeview High School in Battle Creek, Michigan. She was employed by the Fort Custer State Home, did child care for many years and worked at II Stanley where she made many friends. She retired in 2008. In retirement, she took care of her two grandsons.

Shirley met her husband in the spring of 1971. Stanley was stationed with Shirley's brother at the Air Force Base in Grand Forks, North Dakota. They were introduced by her brother (Jim) and sister-in-law when they brought Stanley to Michigan to visit. They were married 6 month later on October 14, 1972. Following their marriage, they moved to Baldwinsville, New York where they remained for 21 years. They returned to Michigan in the summer of 1993. They lived in Lakeview until 2014 when they moved to Galesburg.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Stanley Polak, of 53 years and their daughter, Kimberly (Stephan) Evans as well as their grandsons Tyler and Sean Evans. She is survived by her sisters Mary Carmichael and Betty Burns of Battle Creek; brothers William (Cindy) Swafford of Bellevue and Jim (Dixie) Swafford of Hastings. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

She was a beloved wife and mother as well as a grandmother to her grandsons: Tyler and Sean.

She was preceded in death by her father, Claud Swafford; mother, Virgie Swafford; son Joseph Cipcic Jr.. sister, Rita Bray; brother, Rodger Swafford.

Shirley loved her family. She enjoyed spending time with her grandsons. She enjoyed reading (mysteries and psychological thrillers), crosswords, cooking and baking. Shirley used to love to sketch. She loved to sew and made a replica of her mother-in-laws vintage wedding dress for her niece.

She was a loving, generous (and feisty) person who was loved by many and will be missed greatly by all who knew her.

The family will be holding a graveside service on Thursday, October 9, 2025 where services will take place at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Joel Schwendinger, Kalamazoo Missionary Church, officiating. Interment is at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may go to Helen Devos Children's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan and Kairos Dwelling in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The family is being served by Richard A. Henry Funeral Home of Battle Creek, Michigan.