Shirlee Mae (Brant) Townsend

Shirlee Mae (Brant) Townsend, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away August 6, 2025 at the age of 93. She was born on June 17, 1932 to the late Alex and Leah (Cone) Brant in Midland. She was a 1950 graduate of Midland High School, attended Central Michigan University and later graduated from M.J. Murphy School of Cosmetology in Mt. Pleasant.

Shirlee married her high school sweetheart, Gerald "Bud" Townsend, in Midland on June 16, 1952 while they were students at CMU. After completing their education they returned to Midland and found employment. Shirlee established a beauty salon business, working as a licensed "Beauty for all Seasons" color analyst along with overseeing operations. She was also a ten year Avon representative. She and her husband raised four children, Kim Alan, Brook Lowell, Tamara Sue and Karen Denise.

She was an active lifetime member of First United Methodist Church in Midland, serving in numerous capacities. She was instrumental in organizing the Midland United Methodist/Saginaw Zion Baptist Sewing Group, which met for 35 years to make clothes for underprivileged children. She also collected and purchased clothing for Frontline Ministries that serves third world countries.

Shirlee enjoyed people, nature, making craft projects and participating in sports; tennis, golf, badminton, canoeing, and fly fishing. Many of her interests were shared alike with her husband, family and friends. All enjoyed retreats to the Townsend's river house on the North Branch of the Au Sable River. Shirlee belonged to a Pinochle Card Club, she and the ladies in the group became very close and enduring friends.

Her memory will be held close by her husband, Bud; sons, Kim Townsend and Brook (Marie) Townsend of Houston, Texas; daughters, Tamera Perry of Houston, Texas and Karen (Glen) Gohlke of Katy, Texas and Midland, Michigan.

Grandchildren, Candice (Kyle) Moody, Crystal Townsend (Ahtasham Azim), Bryce (Yaneli) Townsend, Kayleigh (Jordan) Bennett, Brook (Samantha) Townsend Jr, Steven Nuechterlein, Bethany Nuechterlein, Juliann Huston, Justin Gohlke, and Branden (Vivian) Gohlke.

Great grandchildren, Michelle and Korbin Moody, Theo and Emma Bennett, Oliver, Ruby, Finn, and Riley Kate Townsend, Katalina and Kassie Huston, Orion and Mira Gohlke.

Also surviving is her sister in-law, Evadeen Frollo of Midland, Michigan.

Shirlee was preceded in death by her parents and parents in-law; sister and brother in-law, Vada and Edward Fortune; brother in-law and sister in-law, Leo J. and Bertha Townsend; sister in-law and brother in-law, Marilyn and Harold Waite; and daughter in-law, Claire Hardgrove (Kim) Townsend.

Memorial services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be offered to First United Methodist Church or Senior Services of Midland. Shirlee's family are being cared for by Wilson MILLER Funeral Home in Midland, Michigan.