Obituaries

Shirley June Myers, of Tucson, Arizona and formerly of Danville, PA, passed away Thursday, November 14, 2024 at Sierra del Sol Assisted Living. Shirley was born at the Geisinger on June 15th, 1932, the daughter of the late Sarah and Rodney Baylor. Back then the Geisinger Medical Center was just a small community hospital, and still called the “George F Geisinger Memorial Hospital”; a lot has changed in 92 years.

Shirley had three brothers, Rodney, Ralph and Gary Baylor.

Shirley is survived by her son, James (Jamie) R. Myers and his wife Cheryl of Tucson, Arizona and two granddaughters: Krysta (Myers) Tatgenhorst (husband Eric) and Angeli M. Myers; both of Tucson, Arizona. She has one great-grandson, the pride of her life, Owen James Tatgenhorst.

Shirley’s life started out as a small-town country girl, but it turned out to be quite an adventure. She grew up in Mausdale and graduated from Danville High School in 1950. Her senior high school yearbook (picture attached) said she was “Lovely to look at, delightful to know”. She fell in love with a young serviceman, James (Bud) F. B. Myers. They were high school sweethearts. She married Bud on Aug. 16, 1950. The next day they got on a Greyhound Bus and traveled back to his air base in Texas. It took them 3 days. Not exactly a great way to spend a honeymoon. But they spent the next 58 years together. They obviously knew a thing or two about a successful marriage. Shirley and Bud were as close to soul-mates as one could ever find.

Shirley spent the next 30 years following Bud all over the world, as he was stationed at different Air Force bases. She bought Hummels in Germany and Afghan rugs in Morocco, saw the crown jewels in London, and drove under the Eifel Tower. She got to see many different places in America also: North Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, North Dakota to name a few. Not bad for a Pennsylvania country girl.

Even though she had lived in many different places, she still loved Danville. Some said it was ‘in her blood’. So, when Bud retired, they came back to Danville and began restoring the 50-year-old house that Bud grew up in. They worked together on their place for almost a year. When it was done…it was soooo cute. Shirley used to say she was Bud’s #1 helper.

When the stairs got to be too much for them, they sold the old homestead and moved to Catawissa into a one-story. They fell in love with their new place, as much as they had with the old. They just never looked back. They lived there in the summers, for the next 7 years or so. Bud loved pulling the grandkids in a cart behind his tractor, laughter galore, with Shirley as their #1 cheerleader. Another of their favorite pastimes was to go to Knoebels, sit on a bench, and watch kids enjoy the rides. That was their heaven. After Bud passed away in 2008, Shirley decided to live in Tucson, so she could be close to her son and grandkids. Everyone sure loved “Grandma Shirley”.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Shirley’s life, officiated with Linda L Wagner as Celebrant. This includes any “Baylor” relative that might be interested more in Shirley’s life. The service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 1 pm at the Visneski Funeral Home, 42 W Mahoning St., Danville. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery, as Shirley is finally laid to rest next to Bud.

Shirley had a good long life. She was deeply loved by her Tucson family and is missed dearly already.

Flowers are provided by the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the America Lung Association.

Arrangements are under the direction of Visneski Funeral Home, Inc 42 West Mahoning Street Danville PA 17821. www.visneski.com.