Shirley Gaines

Shirley Jean Weber Gaines, 72, of Howard, passed away on July 8, 2023.

Shirley was born in Lock Haven on June 4, 1951. She was the daughter of the late Annabelle Young Conklin and the late Leonard Weber, Sr.

Shirley married Milford (Joe) Gaines, Jr. on Nov. 13, 1969.

She is survived by one son, Brad Gaines (Jaimi); as well as grandchildren, Gage and Hunter Gaines and Kyle Brown; great-grandchildren, Brayden Furry, Tyson Brown, Wyatt Gaines and Baylee Brown.

Shirley is also survived by a sister, Brenda Weber Bottorf (Jim); a brother, Leonard Weber, Jr. (Kim); a step-brother, Ted Hunter (Nancy); and nieces and nephews, James Bottorf, Jr., Katy Bottorf Albert, Shane Reeder, Leonard Weber III, Megan Weber, Greg Hunter and Kim Laird.

She was preceded in death by a grandson, Kyle Gaines, and her beloved beagles, Buck and Max.

Shirley was an active member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Blanchard, serving as Deacon, teaching Women’s Bible Study, singing in the choir, leading the Ladies Crafters, the church’s prayer group after services and the Ladies Missionary Circle. She was a member of the Prayer Shawl Group in Mill Hall. She loved serving the Lord.

She was a beautiful quilter and was a member of the Clinton Piecemakers Quilting Guild.

She worked for almost 30 years as a legal secretary for the Miller, Kistler and Campbell Law Firm in State College. Prior to that she was the first female Deputy Sheriff in Clinton County.

Shirley loved spending time with her family and sewing with her sister. She was an avid Grange Fair camper with her sister for many years. She will be missed beyond words.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, July 22, at the Flemington First Church of Christ, Canal Street, Mill Hall. Friends and family will be received starting at 10 a.m. with services at 11:30 a.m. Rev. Mark Riley will be officiating.

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