Shirley Kandel

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Shirley Kandel

Shirley Ann Kandel, age 76, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 17, 2025, at Majora Lane in Millersburg, Ohio.

A Celebration of Life service will take place on January 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Martins Creek Mennonite Church. Friends & relatives may call prior to the service from 12 noon to 2:00 p.m. A private burial will take place in December.

Shirley was born in Millersburg, Ohio on October 2, 1949, to the late Clayton and Doris (Miller) Kandel. During the first few months of her life, the family doctor told her parents, she will never walk, talk, go to school, drive a car, or hold down a job. Shirley did all of that! 

Many will remember her as the “short lady” that walked many miles on the sidewalks of Berlin. Others will remember her ready smile and ability to talk to everyone she met. Everyone will remember her as the driver of a little red car which never reached the speed limit all the way to Millersburg and back to Berlin. Her family will remember her as a faithful prayer warrior; chances are she prayed for you too!

Shirley attended Berlin Elementary and Hiland High School and lived most of her adult life in Berlin, Ohio. In her young adult years, she was a member of the Holmes County Post High. Shirley attended and was a lifelong member of Martins Creek Mennonite Church where she served in various capacities in her lifetime. 

She enjoyed collecting angels over the years and was featured in the Bargain Hunter for her collection. Shirley was employed by Owens Illinois, working in the factory for 36 years and 8 months. Shirley missed very few days of work during those years of employment. 

Following her retirement on January 1, 2006, she volunteered many hours at Save and Serve Thrift Shop and loved every minute. While volunteering there, Shirley enjoyed making new friends and interacting with the shoppers; nobody was a stranger to her.

She is survived by sisters, Marlene (Tom) Swartzendruber of Shickley, Nebraska, Julie (Mark) Stutzman of Walnut Creek; brothers, Keith (Margaret) Kandel of Columbiana, Ohio, Ken (Rosalie) Kandel of Sugarcreek; and many nieces and nephews and their families.

In addition to her parents, Shirley is preceded in death by her infant brother, Roger Kandel, sisters, Ethel Miller, and Karla Dayton.

The family would like to thank those who over the years took part in her care, took time to visit, sent her a card, called her just to talk, prayed for her, and the special people who took her to church when she could no longer drive. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a monetary donation to Common Ground Ministries or Martins Creek Mennonite Church or donating your time by volunteering at Save and Serve Thrift Shop.

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