Amber Shirah

The life of Amber Shirah was a colorful palette which painted her days with undeniable love, and her faith was like a ray of sunshine which guided her way. With numerous blessings, these things and more shaped the life she happily lived contently with those she loved by her side.

The year 1924 was an exciting time in the U.S. As the 30th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge was at the helm of our nation as business and industry was booming. With the economy soaring, the Roaring Twenties brought excitement to the air within an ever changing culture. Nestled within the small village of Reese, Michigan, Vernon and Pearl (Hurst) Houghtaling shared exciting news of their own when on February 11, 1924 they welcomed the birth of their little girl, Amber.

Amber's parents were hardworking people who supported their family farming and as teachers. She enjoyed a childhood typical of the times, even as the onset of the Great Depression cast a shadow of financial hardship among all. She attended the area schools, and from an early age became quite fond of music. In 1942 she graduated from Bay City Central High School with a heart filled with hopes and dreams for the future. Amber went on to attend Bronson School of Nursing where she received her license as a registered nurse.

With degree in hand, Amber began working at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She loved helping people, and was good at it, too. One day while tending to her duties, Amber was assigned to care for a young gentleman named Bud Shirah. Bud had the misfortune of running his motorcycle into a bus and spent the next several weeks in the hospital recuperating. Amber cared for Bud in her usual, professional manner, but something was clearly different. From the beginning, sparks flew between them. They soon began dating and before long, fell deeply in love. The following year they shared vows of marriage on January 17, 1947.

A match made in heaven, Bud brought Amber out of her serious shell and in turn, she tamed his fun-loving and free spirited ways. Even before beginning a family of their own they were great companions and enjoyed much together, including hunting a time or two.

Later in 1947, Bud and Amber welcomed the birth of their daughter, Maryann. Thomas came along in 1949, followed by Susan in 1951, and Barbara completed their happy family in 1953. In 1959, they moved to a home on State Street in Vicksburg where together they raised their children in faith as members of Vicksburg United Methodist Church.

Although Amber had four children to raise, Bud was like a kid most often, too. She was the disciplinarian while he was usually horsing around and playing with the kids. They provided a good life for their family. In Vicksburg, Bud opened his own business, Bud’s TV & Radio, and later sold insurance. He did some farming, and served as a turnkey for the St. Joseph County Jail, too. Amber kept things running smoothly on the homefront. She was a good cook and made delicious chocolate chip cookies and pies, especially lemon meringue.

Along with being a homemaker, Amber worked at both Bronson and Borgess hospitals as well as in private and industrial duty nursing. For many years she served as the company nurse at Continental Can in Three Rivers before moving to their Human Resources department.

With Bud's handiness, Amber and her family enjoyed camping for many years in the bus Bud converted into a camper home. She also enjoyed riding their dune buggies right along with rest of the family. In 1969, they built a beautiful home on the south side of Portage Lake which provided a place for warm memories and wonderful get-togethers over the years.

When Bud retired in 1983, he and Amber wintered in Largo, Florida for many years, near Tampa where they were very active with the Anona United Methodist Church. They enjoyed many friendships while in Largo and always looked forward to their time there. Amber and Bud shared a great love for travel. They took in the sights while sharing a memorable trip to Europe, and for their 25th wedding anniversary, they took a special trip to Hawaii.

Amber was a creative and talented woman in many respects. She loved to cross stitch, and through her knack for knitting and sewing, she produced much to be cherished. She possessed a beautiful singing voice, and played the piano and sang until she could no longer do so. She loved every kind of music, but Bud was particularly fond of the big band sounds.

Indeed a match made in heaven, Bud and Amber were the best of companions. They had a wonderful marriage, and were deeply in love their whole lives through. They always shared wonderful times together, and he had a way of making her laugh and brought joy to her heart. Even through her occasional stubborn demeanor, Bud could always manage to get Amber to crack a beautiful smile. When Bud later suffered from dementia, Amber lovingly took care of her beloved, just as she had done so long ago, and throughout their days together. When he sadly passed away in 2007, it was a very difficult time for her.

Over the last several years, Amber's own health began to decline, and on Saturday, March 22, 2014, Amber Shirah of Three Rivers passed away at the age of 90. With those she loved by her side, her days were made brighter through the love of family and the blessing of faith. Deeply loved and missed, Amber's life was enriched in many ways.

She is survived by her three daughters: MaryAnn (Jeff) Kudary, of Vicksburg; Susan (Mark) Boyer, of Kalamazoo and Barbara (Jim) Bungart, of Centreville; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren. She follows in death her husband, Berlin “Bud”; her son, Thomas; and great-grandson Tyler.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church, 217 S Main Street. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Please visit Amber’s webpage at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory or photo. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Vicksburg United Methodist Church, the Thomas E. Shirah Music Fund c/o Vicksburg Community Schools Foundation, and/or to the Alzheimer’s Association.