Shirley Jean Katona-Walls, 80 passed away peacefully on Friday, August 7, 2015 at Altercare of Bucyrus with her husband, Ernest, daughter, Debbie, sister, Sharon and a longtime friend, Ginger by her side. Her death was the result of a stroke which occurred a couple of years back.
Shirley was born November 19, 1934 in Bucyrus; the eldest of two daughters of the late Carl H. and Bessie G. (Beehner) Sauselen. She attended Bucyrus High School with the class of 1952 and was married to Louis E. Katona, Sr. The two lived in Albany, New York for 10 years and Elyria, Ohio for 27 years where Shirley worked as a supervisor for Olan Mills covering both Ohio and Michigan. Louis died in August of 1971 and in 1990, Shirley moved back to Bucyrus where she joined her sister as a real estate agent with Katona Realty. Shirley, being a beautiful lady, wowed the heart of Ernest Lamar Walls and the two were married in October of 1993. They lived in Bainbridge, Ohio where she worked with Ron Neff Realty for 6 years before once again returning to Bucyrus to rejoin working with her sister until her stroke. She and Ernie enjoyed traveling the country for his road races and Senior Olympic Nationals which he qualified for and she was always so proud of his many accomplishments.
Shirley was considered a hard-working lady, yet in no way would she leave home unless everything was in its place and her appearance was that of a “Hollywood actress”. She believed in focusing on the positive and whenever asked how she felt, she always replied, “I’m doin great.” Shirley loved gathering with family for the holidays and, when not on the go, she loved watching old movies and never missed an edition of Star or The National Enquirer.
She is survived by husband Ernest, a man who looked far beyond her beauty and whom during her past two year illness, spent 8-12 hours with her every single day at Altercare where Shirley received exemplary care from her “second family,” the staff and residents. She is also survived and will be sadly missed by her two daughters, Deborah (Tim) Boesel of North Ridgeville and Venessa (Phil) Allegretto of Amherst, Ohio; three grandchildren, Tim Jr. (Lisa) Boesel, Heather (Mike) Wooley and Kris (Ann) Allegretto; one sister, Sharon Katona and husband Louis E., Jr. of Bucyrus. Shirley is also survived by four step-children, Barry (Teresa) Walls, Buddy (Judy) Walls, Jeff (Amy) Walls and Jason (Angie) Walls, many step grandchildren and great grandchildren and her aunt, Dorothy Beehner-Rowles who is 96.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Eric Louis Boesel and a step-daughter, Terry Walls-Barnett.
No public calling hours or funeral services will be held per Shirley’s wishes. Memorial contributions are asked to be given to Harbor Light Hospice through Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 and memories are encouraged to be left below.
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