Obituary of [Erma] Shirley Maring

Mrs. [Erma] Shirley Maring, 85, of Bleeker Street, Utica, formerly of Canajoharie, New York died, Sunday, April 5, 2009at the Masonic Care Community. Shirley was born September 30, 1923, the daughter of H. Elizabeth Wessell and Lester Countryman in the Town of Root, Montgomery County, NY. Shirley attended Buel Country School until the eighth grade then attended and graduated in 1942 from Cherry Valley Central School, Cherry Valley, NY. She then went to work at Beech-Nut in Canajoharie for the War Effort as well as for K-Rations and Electronics. She left Beech-Nut to become a homemaker and mother in 1945. Shirley Countryman and Charles Maring were married January 2, 1944 in Buel, NY at the home of her parents. She returned to the workforce at Beech-Nut, LifeSavers in 1962 where she worked until May 1987 retiring after 25 years as a quality control technician. After her retirement she worked at the Canajoharie Library and Art Gallery as a desk clerk until she broke her hip in August 2005. Shirley was a member of the Ames Sprout Brook United Methodist Church, and the Canajoharie Senior Citizens. Mrs. Maring worked for the Board of Elections as an inspector for a number of years. At one time she was a member of the Ames Firemen's Auxiliary and the Ames Home Bureau. Shirley was a member of the LifeSavers 25 year club. Shirley was predeceased by her husband Charles in September 1989. She was also predeceased by both of her parents and a brother [Bud] Orville Countryman in January 2002. She is survived by her children; Kerry [Linda] Maring of Yorkville, NY, David [Judy] Maring of Puyallup, WA, Eugene Maring of Gloversville, NY, Rhalene [Frank] DeGraff of Temecula, CA, and Ruth [Donald] Klug of Herndon, VA, eight grandchildren; Kerry Jr. [Pamela] Maring, Kevin [Kimberly] Maring, Edward [Gina] DeGraff, Craig [Annie] DeGraff, Tammy [Brad] Smith, Charlene [Leonard] Lynch, D'Ann [Michael] Sprinkles, and Kristen Klug. Shirley is also survived by fourteen great grandchildren; Kyle and Alex Maring, Joshua and Abbey Maring, Tyler and Hannah DeGraff, Taylor and Katie Hess, Gillian and Coda DeGraff, Alyssa and Spencer Lynch, Emily Picard and Dawson Sprinkles. The family would like to express grateful acknowledgement for the courtesy and care received while Mrs. Maring was staying at the Masonic Care Community.