Shirley Marie Harpster

Shirley Marie Harpster, 87, of Harlingen, Texas passed away September 19, 2017 at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, Texas.

Shirley was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 15, 1930 to the late Reta (Sageman) and Charles Harmon.  Shirley married Russell W. Hawley (who preceded her in death) and lived in Mio, Michigan for over 40 years.   She worked at Essex Wire in Atlanta for many years returning to school to receive her Business Degree.  She then worked for the State of Michigan as a caseworker in Oscoda and Ogemaw counties until her retirement in 1991.

She moved to Harlingen, Texas permanently in 1995.  She was a member of St. Marys Church in Mio, Michigan and St. Anthonys in Harlingen, Texas where she was a Eucharistic minister and a devoted Catholic.  Shirley was a loving wife, mother and grandmother affectionately known as “Grandma M & M”.  She loved spending time with her family and friends, camping, fishing (it didn’t matter what kind of fishing it was), playing dominos, traveling to different areas of the country and world and most importantly she loved and enjoyed life.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Jeanne (Thomas) Lemon of Charlevoix, Michigan, her son Jeffrey Hawley of Mio, Michigan, her sisters Beverly Harpster of Tennessee, Barbara Latimer of Michigan, 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, her dear friend Rosie Williams and family, many nieces and nephews, along with many special friends in Harlingen, Mio and Charlevoix.

She was preceded in death by her second husband, Glenn B. Harpster, her sister Marjorie Latimer, her brother William Harmon, her sons, Dennis R. Hawley, Richard W. Hawley, Russell C. Hawley, her granddaughter Amy and great grandson Sawyer.

In accordance to her wishes, cremation has taken place.  A memorial will take place at a later date in Michigan.

Memorial donations may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation or charity of your choice.