Shirley Younker Wilcox, 88, North Manchester, passed away on Sept. 11, 2017, at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester.

Mrs. Wilcox was born in 1929 in Chicago, to Edna Mae (Burrous) and Dr. Frank T. Younker, who was interning there.

The family moved to Bremen, and later moved at first to the home of Mrs. Younker’s parents near Young America, and then settled in Galesburg, Wisc., where Dr. Younker had his medical practice.

After her parents divorced in 1936, Shirley lived again in Bremen and then in North Manchester, where she graduated from Central High School and attended Manchester College for two years.

She married Marion Wilcox in 1948. He died in October 2006. Survivors include two sons: Matthew (Sara) Wilcox, Huntington; and Kenneth Hall, Columbus, Ohio; three daughters: Leslie Melcher of Greer, S.C.; Rebecca (Brian) King, Tipton; and Jeannette (Craig Stine) Wilcox, Greenville, S.C.; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren; two half-sisters, Phoebe Palazzo and Mary Ann (Cameron A.) Hall, live in California and Wyoming.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents Edna Mae and Frank Younker; one son Keith Wilcox; one sister, C. Constance (Max) Boyer.

Mrs. Wilcox was a farm wife and writer who had some 130 articles and stories published. For several years, she was employed by Trinity English Lutheran Church, Fort Wayne. Shirley enjoyed singing in the United Methodist Choir and Peabody Entertainers groups. As a freshman at Manchester College, Shirley became the Editor of the Oak Leaf, the College’s newspaper.

Family and friends may call from 5-8 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14 at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15 at McKee Mortuary. There will be calling one hour to the start of the funeral service on Friday. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery, Servia, Indiana. Pastor Mark Eastway and Larry Ray will officiate.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Shirley E. Wilcox, memorial contributions may be made to either White’s Residential & Family Services, 5233 S 50 E, Wabash, IN 46992 or Peabody Caring Circle, 400 West 7th Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.