Shirley Ann Beck

Shirley Ann (O’Connor) Beck went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 13, 2026. Shirley was born in Hastings on September 7, 1934, the second daughter to James and Dorothy O’Connor. After graduating from Hastings High School in 1952, she began work as a secretary in the sales department at Royal Coach Co. After two years there, she went to work for a vice president at Hastings Aluminum Products for over five years.

In 1958, she married Walter L. Beck. Together they had two children, Linda and David. After her children were in school, she began working at Grace Lutheran Church as their first paid secretary and completed 28 years of service before retiring.

She was active as the treasurer of the Band Boosters when her children were in high school and served on the Committee of 33. She was always active within the church, in both local and synod activities, including serving as treasurer and secretary for the Western Michigan English District Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, and then equalization chairperson for the English District Missouri Synod LWML for several years. Locally, she served on the Hastings High School Alumni Board as the secretary, and helped organize her class of 1952 reunions and get-togethers.

Shirley and family enjoyed many summer road trips to visit family around the country and she and Walt continued traveling in retirement, always managing to find a casino along the way. She loved trips to Las Vegas with friends and could regularly be found at local bingo games with her dabbers and good luck charms.

In 2021, after a lifetime of living in Hastings (she and Walt built a home a quarter mile from where she grew up), Shirley moved to Hope Landing in Charlotte to be closer to family and receive the care she needed. She was thankful for all the wonderful staff and comfortable environment. Heart to Heart Hospice provided excellent additional care in her final months, as well.

Shirley is survived by her son David (Ronda) of Charlotte, their children Ashley (Charlie) Hazel and Justin Beck; son-in-law Charles (Robin Randall) Floramo of Midlothian, IL, and grandchildren Angela (Sylvia) and Joseph Floramo; and niece Peggy (Mike) Leggett of Traverse City.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Walter, daughter Linda, sisters June Baatz and Carolyn O’Connor, and brother-in-law Robert Baatz.

The family encourages those wishing to contribute in her memory to support Grace Lutheran Church, 239 E North St, Hastings MI 49058.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Girrbach Funeral Home, 328 S. Broadway Street, Hastings, Michigan 49058 with visitation beginning at 1:00pm and a reception following the service.