Shirley Ann (Gronemeier) Calvin, 92 of Ashland, passed away at Boone Hospital on June 19, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born to the late Elvira Ellen (Crosswhite) Gronemeier and Herman A. Gronemeier, formerly of Beech Grove, IN, on September 29, 1933, in Columbia, Missouri. She was raised by her mother and step-father, Lewis A. Mabrey, Sr. She attended Columbia Rural Schools until 7th grade, moving to Milan, Missouri on Cowgill Ranch, and graduating from Milan High School in 1951.

Shirley married Eldon Hartley Calvin on July 13, 1956 at the home of Elder Lloyd Sapp in Ashland. Together, they had two children; Hartley Eugene and Vincent Cloid.

Shirley was an active member of Goshen Church; the Harry Pryor American Legion in Ashland; Past Chaplain for District 8 American Legion; Ashland order of the Eastern Star #309, where she served in many offices both in the chapter and for Missouri OES and served as Grand Representative to Ohio; Boone County Commission Senior Board member for Cedar Township; Grand Cross of Color through Ashland Rainbow Assembly; member of VFW Post 280 in Columbia and past secretary to District President; and a member of the White Shrine of Jerusalem.

Shirley enjoyed working with people and also taught the Certified Professional Secretary classes at Hickman and Moberly Junior College in Adult Education. She was very proud when she became a CPS and also when she became a journeyman printer through the Columbia Missourian.

She also worked in ad sales at the Columbia Daily Tribune, at the Boone County ASCS office, General Telephone, and at the McDonnell-Douglas Automation as a keypunch operator and then assistant night supervisor. After the passing of her husband Eldon, in 2006, she worked for Boyce and Bynum for six years as a data entry clerk. Wherever she worked, Shirley enjoyed the people and her work. The reasons for leaving any employment was to make more money to help family and friends. She always believed that continuing education throughout life was so important- that anyone can do anything if they tried hard enough and asked God for direction.

Shirley loved doing things for her family, including handcrafting quilts and other crafts for each of them, and doing crossword puzzles.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Hartley Eugene Calvin (Sharon) and Vincent Cloid Calvin. Grandchildren; Jim Hess (Teresa), Marsha Leonard, Tamara Calvin, Brandon Calvin (Faith) and Jami Smallwood Troth and great-grandchildren, Allen, Chris, Kim, Darrian, Raven Nichole, David, Jacob, Audrey, and Connor. Other survivors include her sisters Mary Mabrey Hunt, Betty Mabrey Perkins all of the Columbia area; and Barbara Mabrey Sconce of Nixa, Missouri; nieces, Jerry Ann Gronemeier and Ellie Jones; and nephew; Jason Weald and his family, of England.

In addition to her parents and step-father, Shirley was preceded in death by two brothers; Herman Eugene Gronemeier, Lewis (Sam) Mabrey, Jr. ;Terry Gronemeier; nieces, Linda and Sandra Sconce; and Karen Crane Johnson.

Services for Shirley will be held on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Visitation is from 12p.m. to 1p.m., at Woodcrest Primitive Baptist Church, with a funeral service to follow. Burial will be at Woodcrest Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. There will be a lunch held at the Ashland American Legion after.

Memorial Contributions are suggested to Goshen Primitive Baptist Church, the Ashland American Legion, the Order of the Eastern Star 309 of Columbia, or the White Shrine of Jerusalem Temple 7 of Columbia.

Robinson-Yager Funeral Home is honored to serve the Calvin Family.