Earl Everette Shirkey, 89, of Harrisonburg, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2022, at his home in Harrisonburg.

He was born January 12,1933 in Timberville and was a son of the late Dorman and Ursula Derrow Shirkey.

He graduated from Timberville High School in 1950. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed there when the war ended. While in the Air Force he attended what is now Northwestern State University in Natchitoches Louisiana, where he learned the printing trade that would be his life's profession.

He was a Linotype Operator and Proofreader at the Government Printing Office (GPO) in Washington, DC for 27 years before retiring in 1993 and moving back to the Valley.

He was a member of Columbia Typographical Union Local 101 for 50 years. He served as Vice President and Secretary-Treasurer during that time. He was a member of Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Tenth Legion where he had served as a deacon and trustee.  He was a member of New Market American Legion.

He loved to fish in the Shenandoah Rivers and was an avid reader with over 300 novels and biographies in his library. He loved to travel with family and was always happy to share that he traveled to all 50 states. In his later years he loved to spend time with his grandson and was very proud of the young man he has become.

On April 10,1955 he married Hilda Lorraine Harpine. They were blessed to share 49 years of marriage until her passing in 2004.

Surviving is a son, Dennis Earl Shirkey and wife Leigh Ann of Fairfax Station, a grandson, Bryan Shirkey, two granddaughters, Kelly Thomas (Nathan) and Lindsay Lawrence; two brothers, Jimmy Shirkey (June) of Timberville and Roger Shirkey of Linville as well as numerous nieces and nephews he held near and dear to his heart.

A brother, Roy Shirkey and two sisters, Rena Taylor and Mary Lou Litten, preceded him in death.

Reverend Robert D. Edwards will conduct a funeral service 11:00 AM Monday at Bethlehem United Church of Christ in Tenth Legion. Burial will follow at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in New Market.

The family will receive friends from 5 -7 PM Sunday at the Grandle Funeral Home.

Memorial Contributions may be made in Earl Shirkey's name to Bethlehem United Church of Christ, 11923 N Valley Pike, Broadway, VA 22815 or Sentara Hospice Services c/o Sentara RMH Foundations, 2010 Health Campus Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.