Shirley Ann Meints, 83

Shirley Ann Meints, 83, of Sheffield passed away peacefully at Franklin General Hospital in Hampton, IA on October 24, 2023, surrounded by her family.

Shirley was born November 18, 1939, to Harry and Nettie (Zobeck) Larkin in Postville, IA. She attended her first fours of school at Castalia Independent School. The family moved to New Hampton, IA where she attended the 5th grade before the family moved to Long Beach, CA during WWII where her father worked as an electrician for the U.S government on allied ships.

Her family briefly returned to Iowa before moving back to California, this time to Cathedral City. There Shirley attended junior and senior high schools in Palm Springs, graduating in 1957 as an honor student and a member of the California Scholarship Federation. She also received many other academic awards. After graduation she went onto attend San Diego State studying banking and finance.

While there she met a sailor, Robert Paulson from Hampton, IA, while he was stationed there in the navy. They married on February 15, 1959. To this union were born three children—Robert II, Dawn, and Eric Paulson. Upon Robert’s discharge from the navy the family made their way to Palm Desert for a time and eventually moved to Forest City, IA. There Shirley worked as an accounting clerk for Ruben’s Department store.

A few years later the family moved to Hampton, IA, where Robert took over managing his parent’s drycleaning business and Shirley joined the team of tax preparers at the Hampton Tax Service. Later she ventured into the world of business ownership with the purchase and running of Mode O’ Day clothing and with expansion back to Forest City with another store, Streets of Fashion.

After her divorce Shirley left the clothing store business and took a position with the Hampton Police Department as a dispatcher, a position in which she served for 28 years until her retirement. During this time Shirley met Ron Meints. They would eventually marry on January 7, 1985. They made their home in Rockwell, IA where Ron was the Chief of Police. Upon their retirement from public service, they moved to Sheffield, IA.

Shirley enjoyed gardening, playing cards, doing puzzles, spending time with her grandchildren, and her cats. Shirley is survived by her sister Mavis (John) Elsey of Lindon, UT, her three children: Bob II of Altoona, Dawn (Mitch) Cook of Altoona, and Eric of Indianapolis, IN, five grandchildren (Melissa, Courtney, Mystie, Ashley, and Logan). Also, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and husband Ron Meints.

A family graveside service was held on November 18, 2023, at the Zion Reformed Church cemetery, in rural Franklin County.