Shirley Ann Minnick

Shirley Ann (Driver) Minnick, 96, of Middletown, IN, passed away on October 3, 2023, after a brief illness.
She was born in St. Louis, MO, on November 19, 1926, and grew up along the Mississippi River in rural Arkansas during the Great Depression. Economic circumstances required her to move 14 times during her youth, but she claimed Osceola, AR, as her hometown. During high school, she moved to Marion, IN, and graduated from Marion High School in 1944.

Shirley was, above all things, a self-made woman. Despite a lack of means, she worked as a telephone operator by night to pay for her college education by day at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. Ultimately earning a Master’s Degree, she taught English at Madison Heights High School in Anderson, IN, and at Middletown High School. She joined the faculty at Ball State University in 1965 as an academic advisor, and led several university-wide special assignments during her career before retiring as Associate Professor Emeritus in 1989.

Extremely well-read, Shirley loved literature and poetry and placed a high value on education. She was skilled in several areas of the arts and was a self-taught master seamstress. Shirley was a woman of faith who was known as family-oriented, refined, and highly intelligent. She was endearing to others, especially young women, who were drawn to her gentleness and charming personal style. To friends and colleagues, Shirley was said to be truly a “class act.” To her family, she was simply an angel.

Shirley was a member of the Middletown United Methodist Church, Order of Eastern Star, Psi Iota Xi sorority, and the Athena Circle, a literary group founded in Middletown in the 1800s. After years of research, she was admitted as a member in the Daughters of the American Revolution, having validated her ancestry on both sides of her family to soldiers who served in the War of Independence.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Michiael Minnick; mother, Anna Mae (Wheeler) Driver; father, Paul Driver; brother, Paul Driver Jr., and several aunts and uncles.

Survivors include her sons, Brian Minnick, Middletown and John Minnick (Mindy), Indianapolis; grandchildren, Collin Minnick, Indianapolis, Sophie Minnick, Indianapolis; and several nephews and nieces.

Per her wishes, no calling or funeral will be held. A graveside service will be conducted at Miller’s Cemetery in Middletown at 11:00am on October 21, 2023. Friends are welcome to attend and join with the family in celebrating her remarkable life.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard and Sons Funeral Home in Middletown. You may express condolences or share a memory of Shirley at www.ballardandsons.com