BROWN, Shirley A. of Largo, Florida, formerly of Saginaw, Michigan, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, Florida. She was 85 years old. Shirley A. Welzel was born on September 4, 1926 in Saginaw, Michigan to the late George and Anna (Rathke) Welzel. She married the love of her life, Donald A. Brown, on June 25, 1949 in Saginaw; he preceded her in death on December 26, 1985. Shirley was a proud graduate of Arthur Hill High School, class of 1944. Upon high school graduation, she started working for the Sunshine Bakery Company. Following her marriage, Shirley and Donald began their family. She was a wonderful mother and grandmother, and always cherished the times they were together. She was a former member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and a member of the AARP.


Left to treasure her memory are a son, Edward (Kathrine) Brown of Palm Harbor, Florida; five grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and a sister, Janice (Ted) Wissmiller of Mikado, Michigan.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Donald; a son, Thomas Brown and a brother, Jerry Welzel.

FUNERAL: Shirley’s Funeral Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at the Deisler Funeral Home, 2233 Hemmeter Rd. (off State). Rev. Michael R. Korte will officiate. Burial will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

VISITATION: Friends are welcome to visit with Shirley’s family at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m.

MEMORIALS: Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Covenant HealthCare or a charity of the donor’s choice.