Shirley Ann Lersch, age 77, of Archbold, passed away Tuesday evening, February 18, 2014 at Mercy-St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. Prior to her retirement she had been an Elementary and Junior High School teacher for many years. Recently, she volunteered at Care and Share in Archbold.
Shirley was born in Fulton County on June 8, 1936, the daughter of Joy and Joyce (Winzeler) Graf. On June 7, 1958 she married David L. Lersch, and he survives. She was a member of the Archbold Evangelical Church, where she had been a Sunday School and Bible School Teacher. She was also active with the Ladies Aid of the church. Shirley was a great seamstress and loved baking cookies, making applesauce and soup for others.
Surviving besides husband, David L., are children, David M. (Kathy) Lersch of Archbold, Dawn (Wendell) Lantz of Archbold, Andrea (Courtney) Erb of Mechanicsville, VA, and Matthew P. (Allison) Lersch of Apex, NC. Also surviving are grandchildren, Krista, Cole, Mindy, D.J., Austin, Autumn, Zachary, Dylan, Tyson, Ethan, Anthony, McKenna, Olivia and Samuel; great-grandson, Brayden; sister, Mary Lou Buehrer of Archbold; brother, Gene (Marlene) Graf of Fayette, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brother, John Graf, and sister, Joy Phyllis Link.
Visitation for Shirley will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Sunday, February 23, 2014 at the Archbold Evangelical Church, where the funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday. Pastor Jesse Kahler will officiate the service. Interment will follow in the Pettisville Cemetery. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Archbold Evangelical Church. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. Grisier Funeral Home in Archbold has been entrusted with arrangements.
