Shirley A. Fifer, 86

Shirley A. Fifer, 86, of Montpelier passed away early Saturday morning at Genesis HealthCare Bryan Center. She was born on September 2, 1930 in Toledo to Carl F. and Harriet F. (Bunting) Wolfe. Shirley graduated from Montpelier High School in 1948, she attended the Inte rnational Business School in Fort Wayne to study Business. She married Ovid L. Fifer on November 26, 1948 and he preceded her in death on November 12, 1987.

After marrying Ovid, Shirley worked at the A&P Grocery in Toledo and then in Montpelier after moving back to the area. She was a book keeper and teller for First Federal Savings and Loan from 1958-1966, then she went to Connolly Insurance as a book keeper and a benefits administrator for Mohawk Tools. In 1977 she was directly employed by Mohawk as the benefits administrator until its closing in 1991.

Shirley was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Montpelier, the Altar Rosary Society and the Montpelier Moose. At one time, she was a member of the National and State Women’s Bowling Association. Shirley bowled in 48 state tournaments and 38 national tournaments. She was the president of the Buckeye Women Bowling Writers for 6 years, member of the National Women Bowling Writer, Director of District 1 600 club, Director of the Williams County 600 club, member of the Ohio Local Association Presidents Club – Defiance and Montpelier 500 and 600 Club, President of the WBA for 21 years, and Director of the Montpelier WBA Hall of Fame. Shirley held all league offices, Delegate to State and Conventions. Her honors include Montpelier WBA Hall of Fame, Montpelier WBA Life Member and Permanent WIBC Member. Her High Average was 176, High Series was 659, and her High Game was 276. 2006-2007 was her last season to bowl, due to health issues.

She is survived by her son O. Lynn (Linda) Fifer of Woodstock, Illinois; three grandchildren, Lainie Fifer, Logan (Lynn) Fifer, and Lucas (Jaclyn) Fifer; five great grandchildren, Lillian, Lincoln, Jacob, Liam and Anna; and a sister Marilyn (Norman) Wisman of Bronson, Michigan.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ovid, and an infant brother Carl Richard Wolfe.
Visitation for Shirley will be on Thursday, March 2nd from 3-8pm at the Thompson-Geesey Funeral Home on Empire Street in Montpelier. A Mass will be held on Friday at 10:30am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Fred Duschl to officiate. Shirley’s final resting place will be at Riverside Cemetery in Montpelier. In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial contribution to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Mooseheart.