Shirley Anne Ristow

Shirley Anne Ristow, 83 of Petoskey, died April 16, 2022 at the McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey.

Shirley was born on July 3, 1938 in Almont, MI, the daughter of Clare and Elsie (Schmidt) Dewey and was raised in Romeo, MI.  She graduated from the Romeo High School with the Class of 1957. 

On May 4, 1957, Shirley married Earl Ristow in Eastpointe and the two made their home St Clair Shores.  Shirley did office work at various places before they started their family.  Following the kids going to school, Shirley went to work as the Secretary for the St. Peters Lutheran Church in East Pointe.   When Earl formed his own company, Ristow Wood Products Inc, Shirley went to work with her husband as his Secretary and Bookkeeper.  In 1996, Earl and Shirley retired and they moved to Charlevoix for a number of years before moving to Petoskey.  

Shirley was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church of Petoskey, enjoyed golfing and going to the casino and was a huge sports fan, especially that of the Tigers and Lions.  She loved the 4th of July, but Shirley’s greatest joy was her family, with whom she was very involved.  She was a true optimist and lived for her family, attending all of her grandchildren’s school and sporting events.  She was always there with a helping hand to any family or friends in need.  She will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.

Shirley is survived by her 3 children, Virginia Panoff of Petoskey, Gordon Ristow of Onaway, and Nancy (Terry) Murphy of Green Bay, WI; 2 grandchildren, Zachary Panoff and Austin (Jill) Panoff; a sister, Mary Jacob; and by a brother, Donald (Sue) Dewey.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Earl on December 18, 2021; and by 2 siblings, William Dewey and Betty Weinert.

Funeral services celebrating Shirley’s life will be held on Thursday, April 21st at 11am at the Zion Lutheran Church of Petoskey.  Family will receive friends at the church from 10am until the time of service. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

Those wishing to honor Shirley’s memory are asked to make a donation to the Zion Lutheran Church of Petoskey.

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