Obituary of Anna E. Shirk

Anna E. Shirk, 92, formerly of Manheim, PA, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday afternoon, January 14, 2024, at United Zion Retirement Community in Lititz. Born in Manheim Twp., Lancaster Co., she was the daughter of the late Daniel H. and Elizabeth E. Landis Rhoads.  She was the wife of the late Paul S. Shirk for 71 years prior to his passing in 2021.

Anna loved God and cared for her family well. Her prayers had a strong impact on her family and will be deeply missed.

A homemaker, Anna was a member of the former Heritage Baptist Church in Manheim. Early in her marriage, she was employed by the former Kemples Candy Factory in Lancaster.

Anna was blessed with the spiritual gift of hospitality and the ability to be a fantastic cook.  She shared each of these freely with her family, friends, and others.  She was particularly known for her banana pudding which was expected by her family when they were together for holidays.  She also enjoyed preserving food, sewing, quilting, and crocheting. She crocheted over 200 afghans. Anna was a tough contender with her family at Chinese Checkers and Scrabble.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by three sons, Barry L., husband of Debra DeLuca Shirk, of Merrimack, NH, Robert G., husband of Lois J. Roland Shirk, of Leola, and John P., husband of Gloria D. Stoltzfus Shirk, of Elizabethtown; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey, William, Angela, Jonathan (Faith), Jared (Masha), Joshua, Josiah, Ryan (Renee), and Austin Shirk; two step granddaughters, Aimee and Rebecca Ham; eight great grandchildren; and two siblings, John Rhoads of Manheim, and Melvin, husband of Velda Rhoads, of Manheim. She was also preceded in death by four siblings, Marlin Rhoads, Daniel Rhoads, Samuel Rhoads, and Rev. Abram Rhoads.

The family would like to thank the staff at United Zion Retirement Community for their loving care. Anna’s sweet spirit and beautiful smile continued to shine through despite her battle with Alzheimer’s.

A funeral service will be held on Friday morning, January 19, 2024, at 11:00 AM at Trinity Baptist Church, 596 West Newport Road, Lititz, PA. Interment will follow in East Petersburg Mennonite Cemetery. The family will receive guests at a public viewing at Trinity Baptist Church on Friday morning from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. The family would like to invite friends and family to a luncheon at East Petersburg Mennonite Church, 6279 Main St, East Petersburg, PA 17520 immediately following the interment. Contributions in memory of Anna may be made to the caring fund of United Zion Retirement Community, 722 Furnace Hills Pike, Lititz, PA 17543. To watch a livestream of the service, express a condolence with the family, or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.