Obituary of Shirley Jean Sayles

Sayles, Shirley J. Perry, MI Shirley, age 88, passed away Monday, February 14, 2022 to spend Valentine’s Day with her husband Henry. She was born in Lansing Michigan May 25, 1933 to the late Laurence and Helen (Hart) Service. She was Valedictorian of the Morrice High School class of 1952 and was the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award March 21, 1952. She married Henry J. Sayles September 26, 1952 at Perry Church of the Nazarene, and he predeceased her September 14, 2016. Shirley worked in the 1950’s at MSU’s mimeograph department, and later, for over 20 years, as a Para Pro in both the Morrice and Perry Schools. Over the years, she was active with 4H, FFA, gardening, sewing, supporting her grandchildren showing dairy cattle at the fair, and farming alongside her husband on their Sesquicentennial Farm. Shirley became a member of the Perry Church of the Nazarene in July of 1947, and at the age of 14, and due to a shortage of Sunday School teachers began teaching Sunday School. She lived her life-long faith by teaching Sunday School for over 50 years at Perry Church of the Nazarene. She will be remembered for her dedication and love of children, agriculture, and her church. Some of her greatest joys were the times she spent with her family, especially those adventures shared with her grandchildren during the summers on the farm getting ready for the fair. In addition to the church, Shirley was a member of Farm Bureau, and the Anne Frisby Fitzhugh Saginaw Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is survived by her children, Charles L. Sayles and Diane M. Sayles, both of Perry MI, and Mark (Mary Ewald) Sayles of Bay City and Owosso; grandchildren, Grace M. Sayles of Bay City MI and Jonathan M. Sayles of Owosso MI; sisters, Patricia Chapman and Nancy (Ray) Hardyman; sister-in-law, Dorothy (Sayles) Ware; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, friends, and some very special lifelong neighbors. Her Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, February 19, 2022 at Perry Church of the Nazarene, 3100 Ellsworth Rd., Perry Michigan. Pastor Tim Harmon and Rev. Msgr. George Michalek will officiate. A luncheon will follow with a private interment taking place at Roselawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2PM – 8 PM, Friday, February 18, 2022 at Perry Church of the Nazarene and on Saturday from 12 Noon until the service at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Memorial Contributions to the Perry Church of the Nazarene or the Perry High School FFA Program. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.hyattewald.com Arrangements made with the Hyatt Ewald Funeral Home, 700 N. Monroe St., Bay City, MI