Shirley Kinney

Shirley Ellen Kinney was born August 15, 1934 to Julian and Sarah Church in Holyoke, Colorado. As the only girl in the midst of five brothers, she learned the art of becoming a wonderful sister and also how to be a lady. After high school graduation in 1952 and one year of college, Shirley found work, which she loved, as a phone operator in Sterling, Colorado.

At the tender age of 20, family and friends helped her pack a trunk and sent her on the train to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, where she married her handsome soldier boy, Eugene Dale Kinney in October of 1954. September of 1955 found them back in Sterling where their son, Brett was born, and died at birth. But by 1957, the mountains and fresh peaches of Grand Junction, Colorado, called. Margo, Ann, Clay and Sarah were all born there. Fifteen years later though, Dad drug the family off, kicking and screaming to an old, gray shack on a hill in Norwood, Colorado. The best part of this home was the outdoor privy!

The highlight though of Shirley and Dale’s life occurred in 1968 when through a friend, Barb Snyder, they became acquainted with the true gospel of Christ. This became their most precious gift, answering Shirley’s deep question of who God was. Now after a life of knowing the God of Heaven and the comfort, joy and peace of this relationship, the end held no fear as she left this life to meet her maker.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son: Brett; her daughter: Margo; and four of her brothers: Lyle, Ken, Bill, and Roger. Her remaining family includes her husband of nearly 70 years, Dale; Her children: Ann (Don) Borgman, Clay Kinney, and Sarah (David) McCollum; brother: Chuck (Rose) Church, 12 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.

 Services in Montana will be Saturday, August 10, at 10:00 am at the Shelby High School Auditorium.

Services in Colorado will be Saturday, August 24, at 11:00 at 30490 Highway 92, Hotchkiss, CO.