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Shirley Jean (Holloway) Van Gilder
Born: 5/2/1938
Died: 12/17/2025
Age: 87
Community: Fenton, MI
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Shirley Jean (Holloway) Van Gilder, age 87, of Fenton, passed away on December 17, 2025, at UofM Hospital in Ann Arbor, but not before making sure she was surrounded by her family.
Born to loving parents, Cleda and Percival Holloway, on May 2, 1938 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, Shirley spent her early years growing up with her three siblings on their Mott Road family farm. She attended Willow Run High School, graduating in 1956 as both the class valedictorian and homecoming queen. Academically gifted and creative, Shirley enrolled at Eastern Michigan University after high school, with the intent to study interior design. Life would bring her other plans.
Strong-willed and determined, Shirley knew at 14 years old who she would marry. The moment she saw Russ Van Gilder, Jr. washing his car next door to her parents lake house, she knew he was the one. They were married in 1958 and would be blessed with three children: Rusty, Lisa, and Julie. Shirley graciously juggled the demands of young motherhood, coaching sports teams, volunteering with the Girl Scouts, and the school PTA.
While raising their family, Russ and Shirley tenaciously began building what would become VG’s Food Center. Together, with their children, they would grow the stores into a beloved part of the surrounding communities. She provided an artistic balance to Russ’ competitive spirit, contributing in a big way to their legacy by doing the little things well. In the early years of VG’s, she was the book keeper and later on designed the interior of the stores to feel like home, all while making sure the associates felt a part of something special.
In many ways, Shirley was the beating heart of the Van Gilder family. Her gifts were tied to her connection to life. If you visited her house in the woods in older years, you would find her tending to a prolific flower garden among the hummingbirds. She brought people together, and during the holidays she spent her time organizing a Christmas party for her entire extended family, a tradition that has lasted more than 40 years. Shirley also loved to spend time with her six grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren, baking birthday cakes each year and decorating gingerbread boys each December. She taught every new child her favorite poems, supported each one by taking interest in their athletics and hobbies, and showed them where to find the best shells on the beach. Above all, Shirley made sure they understood that a family bond was everlasting. She will be dearly missed by all who loved her.
Shirley is survived by her children, Russell (Jerrie) Van Gilder III, Lisa Van Gilder (Bill Ogle), and Julie Tittl (John DeLong); her grandchildren Erica (David) Sandusky, Tiffany (Brian) King, Jaimie (Ben) Staley, Russell (Allie) Van Gilder IV, Michael Ogle, and Lauren (Jacob) Heffner; and her great-grandchildren Aubrie, Mikey, Adam, Raelle, Nathan, Sam, Andrew, Jacob, Bella, Aria, Russell V, Hailey, Jack, Bella, and Peyton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Russell H. Van Gilder Jr.; parents, Cleda and Percival Holloway; in-laws Russell and Virginia Van Gilder Sr.; brother, Robert (Velda) Holloway; brother, Don (Mary) Holloway; and sister, Sue (Skip) Smith. Shirley also has many nieces, nephews and extended family that were very meaningful to her. A special thanks to Cricket Bonner for her friendship and care these past few years.
Services will be held at 4 PM Monday, December 29, 2025 at Sharp Funeral Home, Fenton Chapel, 1000 W. Silver Lake Rd., Fenton. Deacon Ron Kenney officiating. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Monday, December 29, 2025 from 11AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions in Shirley’s name to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan, 2300 Lapeer Road, Flint, MI 48503. |
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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12/29/2025 |
| Time: |
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11:00 AM |
| 11AM - 4PM |
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