Shirley Ann Kelley Applegate, 91, a lifelong resident of Shelbyville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on September 22, 2026, at Major Hospital, surrounded by her family. Shirley was born at home in Shelbyville on December 3, 1934, to William E. Kelley and Inez Marie Burkhead. She was raised in Shelbyville and remained in the community she called home throughout her entire life.

In 1965, Shirley worked as a store clerk at Danners. In 1979, she received her GED diploma from Blue River Vocational School in Shelbyville while working at the Food Stamp Office. The following year, she received an Associate Degree in Administrative Accounting from Indiana Business College in Columbus. She went on to serve as the Shelby County Homemaker for several years. After leaving the Welfare Department, Shirley delivered newspapers to homes along a motor route until retiring in 1999.

Shirley loved being outdoors. She enjoyed gardening and fishing and took great pride in her home and yard. She mowed her own grass, and her yard was always overflowing with flowers—she had flowers everywhere. She dearly loved her dogs, Little Bear, Dezi, and Lucy, and treasured the companionship they brought her. Shirley enjoyed family gatherings and especially loved cooking during the holidays. Having everyone together was something she looked forward to and cherished. Shirley also loved giving things away. If she had something she thought you might like or could use, chances were you were going home with it. It was simply part of who she was and something her family will fondly remember about her.

Shirley is survived by her three children, Steven D. Applegate (Jamie), Debbie Applegate Kramer (Herb), and Carol Christian Krecek. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Angela Applegate Crouse, Jennifer Michelle Deiser (Fred), Lisa Marie Kiefer (Brad), Andrew Jackson Ballard (Beth), Adam Dale Applegate (Trisha), Jess Baden (Matt), Brittany Moyski, Sean Krecek, Dale Lewis Kramer, and Matthew Allen Kramer (Moe). Her great-grandchildren include Brittany Stevens Bandy (Kyle), William A. Stevens (Elizabeth), Lauren Rohda (Max), Abigail Johnson (Tim), Jesse Lankford (Chase), Jaquelyn Marie Crouse Felling (Atticus), Sony Dale Applegate, Jordan Michael Crouse (Ella), Jayden C. Dover (Kate), Stewart Charles Crouse, Hunter Dale Applegate, Nova R. Masterson (Jonah), Maci Marie Applegate, Sawyer Alexander Crouse, Jack Deiser, Evelyn Marie Kiefer, Landon Kramer, Max Grant Crouse, Emily Deanne Kiefer, Lilly Bell Kramer, Christian Baden, Colin Baden, Gavin Baden, and Magnolia Moyski. Shirley was also blessed with 10 great-great-grandchildren: Aubrey Lee Bandy, Noble Henry Beyer, Lincoln Reed Bandy, Hudson Wolf Lankford, Henry Ikaia Felling, Ripley Colt Lankford, Sebastian Luke Felling, Theodore Roy Dover, Jaxton Hawk Lankford, and Roman Michael Crouse. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, William E. Kelley and Inez Marie Burkhead; her siblings, Bette Lou Kelley, Billy Gordon Kelley, and James (Jimmie) Dale Kelley; her great-granddaughter, Kaylie Reene Kramer; and her great-great-granddaughter, Lucy Grace Crouse.

There will be no funeral service. A private celebration of Shirley’s life and family will be held on October 11, 2026. Her family will gather to remember her and spread her ashes at a place that was special to her.