Born: Nov. 10, 1939

Died: Sept. 5, 2012

Shirley M. VanAcker, 72, of Niles passed away at Lakeland Hospital on Sept. 5, 2012.

In Elkhart, Ind., on Nov. 10, 1939, Shirley was born and was raised by her loving parents, Barrett and Alfreda Haslam. After graduating from high school she married Edward VanAcker at a ceremony in Adamsville, Mich., on Nov. 24, 1962, and their adventure began.

Shirley was always a very hard worker. Most of her life she worked as a nurses’ aide in hospitals and nursing homes giving her patients the best care they could hope for. Although she was an avid Notre Dame football and Chicago White Sox fan, Shirley’s greatest enjoyment came from caring for her children and grandchildren, and especially her husband.

She is preceded by her husband, Edward, and her brother, John Hatfield.

Surviving Shirley are her two sons, Thomas (Connie) VanAcker, of Mishawaka, and John VanAcker; her nine grandchildren; and her four great-grandchildren. Shirley is also survived by her brother William Sylvester, of Elkhart.

Services for Shirley will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2012, with an hour of visitation before the service. She will be interred next to her husband, Edward, at Riverview Cemetery.

Donations in Shirley’s memory may be directed to the family at Brown Funeral Home, 521 East Main St., Niles, MI  49120.

Those wishing to leave a condolence, memory or photo of Shirley may do so at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or www.Facebook.com/brownfuneralhomeniles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home.