Shirley M. Mecha, age 89 of rural Maribel, passed away on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Aurora Medical Center of Manitowoc County, surrounded by her loving family.
The former Shirley Koene was born on December 25, 1935 in the Township of Gibson, a daughter of the late Harry and Mary (Kabacinski) Koene. She attended the Melnik Grade School and graduated with the Class of 1954 of Mishicot High School of which she was Valedictorian. She then graduated from the Manitowoc County Teachers College in 1956, later graduating from the Oshkosh State University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education.
Shirley taught for 34 years in the rural Manitowoc County one room schools and ended up teaching in Mishicot in which she received Teacher of the Year award. On May 14, 1958, Shirley was married to John Mecha at All Saints Catholic Church in Denmark. The couple moved to Oklahoma following their wedding, where John was serving in the United States Army at Ft. Sill.
Shirley was active in her community, church and school. Her activities included Rural Youth Organization, 4-H, church catechist, lector, choir member, finance council chairperson, Fun and Faith summer Bible class, children’s choir leader, and the DCCW Parliamentary Treasurer. Her interests include music, St. Norbert Collegiate Chorale, playing Sheepshead, fishing, camping, snow skiing, and belonging to the Horseless Carriage Club of America.
Survivors include her husband: John Mecha, Maribel; three sons and one daughter-in-law: Joe Mecha, Manitowoc, Bill Mecha, Maribel, Ed (Liana) Mecha, Maribel; four grandchildren: Chris Becker, Dan (Katie) Mecha, Justine Mecha, Jessica Mecha; two great-grandchildren: Hailey and Landon Mecha; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends survive. She was preceded in death by her parents: Harry and Mary Koene.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 at St. James Catholic Church, Cooperstown. The Rev. Brian Belongia will Celebrate the Mass of Christian Burial with burial to follow at All Saints Cemetery, Denmark. Relatives and friends may call at the Reinbold & Pfeffer Family Funeral Home, Kellnersville, on Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Mass at 11:00 a.m. Deacon Dan Gray will hold a parish prayer service at 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.
Expressions of sympathy can be made to the family by visiting www.lakeshorefamilyfuneralhomes.com
Lakeshore Family Funeral Homes, Reinbold & Pfeffer Funeral Home of Kellnersville, WI is assisting the family with arrangements.
