Shirley L. Merritt (nee Lang), 80 years 27 days, of Ocala, Florida. passed away from complications of COPD, April 27,2019.

The youngest child of Mary Lang (nee Walker) and William Lang, Shirley was the only Lang child born at Clay Center Memorial Hospital, April1 ,1939.  Her siblings Rex (D), Paul (D), Marjorie, Helen and Irma were all born at home.  With 10 years between herself and Irma and 20 between her and Rex, Shirley was the baby of the family.  Shirley graduated Green High School in 1957, and went on to graduate Clarks Business College in Topeka, KS.  She married her former husband E. Steve Merritt (D) in 1964 in Topeka KS, and had two children, a daughter A-J Merritt-Zommer (Chicago) and a son Andrew Merritt (South Elgin) in Glendale Heights, IL.

A long-time athlete, Shirley played basketball, track & field, and played softball before coaching softball for her daughter's team.  Shirley was always volunteering to help and organize things.  After several years as President of Reskin Elementary School's PTA, Shirley was given honorary Life Time membership.  Shirley also officiated at Swim Meets and served several terms as President of the Glendale Heights Dolphin Swim Team Parents Club, where she was affectionately known as "Mamma Merritt".

In 2011, Shirley retired to On Top of the World in Ocala, FL where she pursued her interest in genealogy, various crafts and woodworking, making a number of friends.

She is survived by her beloved friend M. Annette Bunck who cared for her until her death, her children A-J & Andrew, Son in Law Ken Zommer, Grandchildren Gabrielle & Isabelle Zommer, Sisters Marjorie Anthony, Helen Brunker, & Irma Burger, Brother in Law Lawrence Brunker, Sisters in Law Velma Lang, & Ruth Todd and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley will be laid to rest after cremation at the Blackberry Township Cemetery, Elburn, IL.  The family has designated the Lung Cancer Research Foundation, 155 East 55th Street, Suite 6H, New York, NY 10022 (212) 588-1580 for memorial contributions.