Shirley L. (Babcock) Gahn

Shirley L. Gahn, age 88 of Boyne City, passed on September 16, 2022 at home surrounded by her children.

Shirley was born August 18, 1934, in her grandmother’s home, on Bois Blanc Island, Michigan the daughter of Eugene and Margaret (Plaunt) Babcock.  She grew up on Bois Blanc Island and attended school at The Pines, one room school house, on Bois Blanc Island from grades K-8.  Shirley attended High School in Drayton Planes, MI and Cheboygan, MI.

On October 15, 1952 she married Willard N. Gahn in Cheboygan, MI.  Shirley raised four children.  She worked many jobs in the grocery store business.  She was primarily a meat wrapper. First for B&C Market in Cheboygan and then in Boyne City when her husband, Willard, was transferred there as store manager.  She finished her meat wrapping career with Country Star Market and Restaurant in Boyne City.

Shirley, in her younger years, enjoyed trail riding dirt bikes.  She and Willard, along with their friends, Shorty and Betty Smith, and Jim and Barb Everest, rode all over Northern Michigan, the Upper Peninsula, Canada, Kentucky and Tennessee.  She earned herself the nickname “Mud”.  Shirley also enjoyed knitting and crocheting.  Many friends and family members treasure the items created by her hand.  She also enjoyed reading, playing cards and games.  Dominos, Yatzee and Rummy Cube being some of her favorites. 

She loved her Island home.  She had summered on Bois Blanc Island for the past twenty years.  First camping at “Bab’s Park” along with her sisters, Audrey Gahn and Marie Mangapane who both preceded her in death.  Most recently she has spent her summers in her childhood home, which her father built and her children had the opportunity to purchase.

Shirley is survived by her brothers Victor Babcock of Bois Blanc Island and Thomas Babcock of Cedar Springs; son Kenneth Gahn of Boyne City; daughters Robin (Dave) Guzniczak of Boyne City, Dawn Stackus of Boyne City and Crystal (Kirk) Smith of Petoskey. Grandchildren Schuyler (Becca) Stackus, Collin (Lindsie) Stackus, Bethany (Nick) Wilhelm, Randy (Jill) Guzniczak, Brian Guzniczak, Aaron Gahn, Janelle Barney, Renee (Alex) DeGelder, Sydney (Reggie) Fiel, Maggie Gene Smith and KC Smith. Great grandchildren Tristan Stackus, Lily Wilhelm, Kaytee Wilhelm, Tannis Guzniczak, Jasper Guzniczak, Keith Guzniczak, Myra Guzniczak, Jayna Gahn, Ariann Barney, Jaxen Barney, AlecZander Barney, Anderson DeGelder, Irelyn DeGelder, Elsie Fiel and Lennix Stowe Smith; along with all the nieces and nephews, too numerous to name, who hold her in a special place in their hearts.

A celebration of life will take place on September 24th from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Boyne City Senior Center, 411 E. Division Street, Boyne City, MI 49712.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Shirley L. (Babcock) Gahn, please visit our floral store.