Shirley E. Shaner

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Shirley E. Shaner, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Shirley departed this world peacefully on May 10, 2026, at the age of 90, at UPMC Muncy Place.

Born on February 9, 1936, in Muncy, she was the daughter of the late Grover and Myra (Phillips) Secules. Shirley married her husband, Richard A. Shaner, on March 12, 1955, and they were married for 57 wonderful years until his passing on December 16, 2012.

A high school graduate, she became a true fixture in the Muncy area, owning and operating Shirley’s Fabric Shop during the 1980s and 1990s. Her work extended beyond the fabric business, as she also contributed her talents to the East Lycoming School District and Muncy Creek Township. In her retirement years, Shirley also worked part-time at Bon Ton and Macy’s, as a sales representative.

Throughout her life, Shirley nurtured her loved ones with unwavering compassion. She created lasting memories by taking her grandchildren on summer vacations to cherished destinations such as Indian River Inlet and Disney World. Shirley’s love of camping, particularly at Rehoboth Beach, was matched only by her passion for gardening and her enthusiasm for bingo nights. Her devotion to cooking, especially her famed Texas Brownies, made family dinners and potluck gatherings something to look forward to for everyone in her life.

Shirley’s heart was as big as her accomplishments. She was a dedicated and lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran “Brick Church,” and she actively participated in the Ladies Auxiliary for the Muncy Township Fire Department. For over a decade, she served as the secretary and treasurer of the Loyalsock Valley Antique Machinery Assoc., demonstrating her care and commitment to community service.

Shirley will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her caring soul and generous heart. Her legacy of love, support, and kindness will forever resonate through the lives she touched.

Shirley is survived by a daughter, Susan Little; a son, Ronald Shaner; grandchildren, Amanda Fox, Michelle (Michael) Roy, Brooke (Ryan) Koch, and Corby Shaner, and great-grandchildren Kirstyn Nelson, Rylan Koch, Steven Fox, Lola Fox, Stella Fox, and Wyatt Charles.

Besides her husband and parents, Shirley is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Krista Pardoe, sisters Helen Burke and Martha Fenstermacher, and brother, Lewis Secules.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at McCarty-Thomas Funeral Home, 557 E. Water St., with Minister James L. Girven officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Hughesville. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at mccartythomas.com.