Shirley Ann (VanBogelen) Drier

Shirley Ann Drier, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, passed from this life on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, after a period of declining health.  She was born on March 31, 1939, in Muskegon, Michigan. She was the youngest of 7 children.

She graduated from Muskegon Heights High School at the age of 17 in 1956. She was in the top 10 (8th) in her graduating class of 237 students. Shirley was involved in the Girl Scouts of America (that is where she acquired her lifelong motto of “always be prepared”) and enjoyed her high school years as a member of Y Teens, the Booster Club, Student Council, and singing in the A Cappella Choir. She was also a proud member of Future Accountants.

She began her career fresh out of high school working for Fred Knack Ford and worked at various Ford, Chevy, and GM auto dealerships (in Muskegon, Grand Haven, & Whitehall) throughout her career. She served her community as a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, ABWA, and Mona Lake Boating Club Auxiliary (all in Muskegon) for several years.

Shirley met her husband Harold Drier on a blind date when he was visiting relatives in Muskegon while home on leave from the US Navy in 1957.  They wrote letters to each other during the rest of his time in the military and got married on April 24, 1959, just a few months after he finished his term of service in the Navy. 

Shirley and Harold raised their three children in Norton Shores, MI (her hometown) then moved to Levering, MI (Harold’s hometown) after they both retired. They spent a few winters in Ocala, FL shortly following retirement helping their son Tom at Mockingbird Farm.  One of her duties on the farm was foal watch and she really enjoyed spending time with the mares and helping to make sure they were safe when they were ready for their foals to be born.

She is survived by her husband Harold and her children Jan (Keith) Dekema of Kalamazoo, MI, Thomas (Cindy) Drier of Levering, MI, and Richard (Bonnie) Drier of Norton Shores, MI; six grandchildren: Destiny (Elliott) Wilcox of Lutz, Fl, Dr. Eva Drier of Gulfport, FL, Jacob (Julie) Goodrich of Plainwell, MI, Amber (Joseph Fair) Goodrich of Three Rivers, MI, Natalie Goodrich (Amanda Fair) of Dowagiac, MI and Robert (Beth) Drier of Muskegon, MI, and 3 great grandchildren: Izek Thomas of Gulfport, FL, Remy Wilcox of Lutz, FL, and Nathan Goodrich of Plainwell, MI, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Cecilia (Lucille) VanBogelen, and her siblings Delores (Dolly) Kelley, Donald (Don) VanBogelen, Robert (Bob) VanBogelen, Norman (Jack) VanBogelen, Lois Strandberg, and John VanBogelen.

Shirley loved gardening and cooking and enjoyed canning and sharing the fruits and vegetables she and Harold grew in their gardens. She grew beautiful flower gardens and when asked what her favorite flower was, she replied “all flowers”.  She loved children, playing card games like Cribbage, Euchre, and Rummy, trying new recipes for salads and desserts, and was especially known for her wine making.  And oh, how she loved music.  Over the past few months, even when she couldn’t quite remember who a person was, she still knew all the words to a song as soon as the music started playing and would sing along.

A celebration of her life will be announced by the family at a later date.

Her family thanks all who loved and supported her.  Donations in Shirley’s name can be made to McLaren Northern Michigan Hospice, Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, or the charity of your choice.

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