Shirley J. McCarthy, age 85, of the Villa at Felician Village, Manitowoc, entered eternal life on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center, Manitowoc.

Shirley was born May 25, 1926 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of the late Erwin and Agnes Kelly Barnes. Shirley was a graduate of Lincoln High School with the class of 1945. She continued her education at the Milwaukee State Teachers College. Shirley taught elementary education in the Manitowoc Public School system for 39 years. On August 26, 1959 she was married to Earl J. McCarthy at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Manitowoc. Shirley was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella. She was a volunteer at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center and Rivers Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years: Earl; one sister and brother-in-law: Beatrice and Niles Schueler, St. Nazianz, WI; two special nieces: Barbara (Rick) Krueger, Reedsville, WI; Mary (Conrad) Brazzale, Manitowoc, WI; one special nephew: Michael (Lisa) Schueler, St. Nazianz, WI; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by one sister and brother-in-law: Agnes and LeRoy Bertsche.

Funeral services will be held 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 12, 2011 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Richard Klingeisen with burial to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Clarks Mills, Wisconsin. Relatives and friends may call at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Waldo on Monday from 12:00 o'clock noon until the time of services at 1:00 p.m.

The Harrigan Parkside Funeral Home and Crematory, North 11th and St. Clair streets, Manitowoc, is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.