Shirley M. Baehl, 71, of Fort Myers Fla., formally of Fort Branch, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011 at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Ky.

She was born Feb. 3, 1940 in Gibson County, IN to Charles D. and Venita (McEllhiney) Ice.

Shirley was a member of the St. Columbkille Catholic Church in Fort Myers and formally belonged to Holy Cross Catholic Church in Fort Branch. She worked at Rheinharts, taught music at St. James School and was choir director at Holy Cross Church for 32 years.  She was a special education teacher’s aide at Holy Cross School for eight years and was parish secretary.  She was choir director at St Colunbkille Church in Fort Myers, volunteered at the hospital and church.  Shirley played in the “Spectratones” dance band for eight years.

She dated for four years and married after high school, her husband of 53 years, Vincent A. Baehl of Fort Myers, who survives. She is also survived by four children Kent (Doris) Baehl of Fort Branch, Alicia (Scott) Taylor of Evansville, Steven Baehl of Katy, Texas, Michele (Thomas) Schmitt of Poseyville; 13 grandchildren; and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister, Patricia McConnell.

A Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 2011 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Ft. Branch, with Father Tony Ernst as the celebrant. Burial will be in the church cemetery. 

Visitation will be 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011 at Stodghill Funeral Home on Ind. 168 West in Fort Branch, and again from 9 a.m. until the service time at the church on Friday.  A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.