Obituary of Shirley Badtke

Shirley Dean Badtke, 73, of Naples, Florida formerly of Niles, passed away on April 10, 2009 at the home of her son in Atlanta, Georgia, following a courageous battle with cancer. Shirley was born on January 28, 1936 in Plymouth, Indiana to the late Herman and Opal (Kaufman) Reed. On August 3, 1991 she married Donald Badtke in Niles, Michigan where they shared many memories together until he passed suddenly in 2006. Shirley's farm roots were never forgotten as she was an avid gardener. When the weather didn't permit her to be outside, she loved to sew, create ceramics and music. She was a past member of the local Sweet Adeline's and Wesley United Methodist Church choir. She always enjoyed being with her family; especially her children and great-grandchildren. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Bonita Springs, Florida. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Devon Reed and her husband Donald Badtke in 2006. Surviving Shirley are her two sons Brent (Robin) Baer of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kevin (Mary Beth) Kendrick of Beaumont, Texas, her daughter, Brenda Baer of Crivitz, Wisconsin, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, her two brothers Eldon (Gerry) Reed of Plymouth, Indiana and James (Joyce) Reed of Bremen, Indiana, a sister Marilyn (David) Back of Walkerton, Indiana and a very special aunt Faye Mangus of North Liberty, Indiana. A time of visitation will be Friday, April 17th at Brown Funeral Home from 12-2 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday April 17, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home. Friends and family are invited to continue the celebration of Shirley's life at a reception at Wesley United Methodist Church at 4pm. A Private interment will be held at Bremen Cemetery.