Shirley A. Zirkle

Shirley A. (Alford) Zirkle, 88, of Fairmount, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on

Monday, September 2, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was born on August 19, 1936, to the

late Leon and Mary (Rudicel) Alford. A proud graduate of Marion High School, Class of 1954,

Shirley married the love of her life, Ulric Zirkle, on February 26, 1955, and together they raised

five children.

Shirley was a hardworking woman who wore many hats throughout her life. She worked

cleaning houses, babysitting, and working at the Dime Store, Marion Glove Factory, Hills

Department Store, and mowing at County Line Trailer Court. Later in life, she fulfilled her

entrepreneurial spirit by owning and operating C & S Kitchen at Round Robbins Bingo, where

she retired.

A devout Christian, Shirley faithfully attended Fairmount Wesleyan Church, where she was

known to faithfully give out as many hugs as possible. And also a part of Kids Hope. Her

kindness and joy were well known by all who met her. Shirley was known for her warm hugs, her

nurturing spirit as “everybody’s mom,” and her love for traveling to Branson, Missouri. She will

be remembered as a sweetheart—happy, outgoing, and always ready to spend time with her

children and grandchildren.

Her legacy of love and kindness lives on through her family and the countless lives she touched.

Shirley will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Shirley is survived by her children, Cathy (Craig) Sullivan of Fairmount, John (Jody) Zirkle of

Fairmount, Bill (Cindy) Zirkle of Fairmount, Bob Zirkle of Yorktown, and Eric (Heather) Zirkle of

Swayzee; grandchildren, Ryan Knipp, Jason (Deshae) Knipp, Cory (Shannon) Zirkle, Brandon

Zirkle, Jordan Zirkle, Braden Zirkle, Jacob Zirkle, Shelby (Jacob) Martin, Micah Zirkle, Sarah

Zirkle, and Erin Zirkle; 12 great grandchildren; sister-in-law’s, Barb Alford of Jonesboro and Joy

Alford of Georgia; and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in passing by her parents, Leon and Mary Alford; husband, Ulric Zirkle;

siblings, Phyllis (Max) Philippe, Richard Alford, and Leon Alford Jr..

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Life Celebration

Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, IN 46928. A visitation

will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024 from 3:00p.m. - 7:00 p.m.. A service will be held on

Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. A burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Fairmount,

Indiana.

Memorial contributions in remembrance of Shirley can be made out to Fairmount

Wesleyan “U R Welcome” Sunday School Class, 304 N. Walnut Street, Fairmount, IN 46928.

Memories and condolences can be shared at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com