Shirley Anne McCoach, age 85, of Osawatomie, Kansas, died Thursday, January 15, 2015 at her home.

Shirley was born in Osawatomie, KS on March 15, 1929. She was the fourth child of five born to Everett and Beatrice (White) Fields. Shirley was a lifelong resident of Miami County and attended school in the Osawatomie school systems, graduating from Osawatomie High School in 1946. While in school, Shirley worked as a candy striper at Ransom Memorial Hospital and also helped her father on the family farm after her brother left for the Merchant Marines.

In 1947 she married Clayton Doyle Ross and became the mother of three children: Rex, Ivan, and Michael Ross. Shirley later married Troy McCoach on June 22, 1968 in Nowata, Oklahoma. The marriage brought another son into the family, Troy Lee. With a house full of boys they made their home in Osawatomie, and while Shirley was a devoted wife and busy mother, she did work outside the home. In the late 60s and 70s, Shirley worked at the Mode-O-Day Dress Shop in downtown Osawatomie and later as a cook for the Osawatomie School District.

Shirley was a sweet, funny, and loving person with a charming personality. However, she could also be stubborn and hard-headed which made her all that more endearing. Shirley collected plates, cups, and spoons from the various places, she and her loved ones visited. She was known as the family caretaker, a job she did quite well, and was also a fabulous cook and baker. Her cinnamon rolls, cakes, and candy were often requested by family members and a favorite of all. She was always baking special treats for her grandchildren around Halloween and anytime they came to visit, they were sure to leave with a bag of goodies from Grandma’s kitchen and some soda pop from the old GM refrigerator on her back porch. Shirley loved her family and they dearly loved her. She will be missed every day.

Shirley was a proud breast cancer survivor of around 15 years and was a member of the Green Valley Social Club and the Osawatomie Alumni Association.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of thirty years: Troy McCoach, two sons: Rex and Ivan Ross, two sisters: Inez Beets and Berdine Hayworth, and one great-great-grandbaby: Waylon Brott.

Survivors are: son Michael “Mike (Renee) Ross of rural Paola, KS; daughter-in-law Toni Ross of Paola, KS; step-son Troy Lee McCoach of Toms River, NJ; brother Wayne Fields of Eldena, IL; sister Naomi Castleberry of Grantville, KS; seventeen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

ALL SERVICES WILL BE AT EDDY-BIRCHARD FUNERAL HOME

VISITATION: 6-8PM SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2015

SERVICE: 9:30AM MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2015