Shirley Jo Cirjak

Shirley Jo (Sherwood) Cirjak, born on May 11, 1930, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 7, 2025 at the age of 94, in a wonderful nursing home.

She is survived by her sons, Thomas Cirjak (Nancy) of Ravenna, Larry Cirjak (Marlise Fletter) of Burton; grandchildren, Marianne Cahill (Rob), Amy Cirjak, Michael Cirjak (Ashley), Elyse Miller (Aaron), and Bryse Cirjak; as well as great grandchildren, Jack Cahill, Tommy Cahill, Caroline Boston Smith, Owen Cirjak, Riley Cirjak, Logan Cirjak, Abraham Miller, and Bo Miller; brother-in-law Joseph Cirjak (Margaret), and sister-in-law Carol Riznikove. She is survived by her many nieces, nephews, cousins (John (Pat) Cirjak), friends, and also maintained very close relationships with Mary Ellen Cirjak and Leita Cirjak.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 75 years, Pete Cirjak; parents; brothers, Bill Ryan and Allyn Riznikove; daughter Dana Cirjak; and grandchild, Laura Cirjak.

Shirley devoted her life caring for Pete and her boys and making their house a home. She was a classy woman who loved antiques and a unique traditional/colonial style that paired perfectly with her husband’s carpentry abilities to make her visions a reality. She was also a marvelous cook/baker and loved desserts, chocolate, and candy. When you were with Grandma Shirley there was always room for dessert, even if it was before dinner!

Shirley had a heart of gold and found joy in everything she did. After her boys were grown she worked for American Greetings and organized the displays at Marc’s. Some of her favorite times were volunteering at Robinson Memorial Hospital in the maternity ward to rock and comfort newborn babies. Over the years she participated in square dancing, clogging, domino groups, and the cleaning crew, Dust Busters, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Ravenna. She spent her down time gardening, crocheting, reading, and watching the wildlife she and Pete fed at their beautiful home in Rootstown. She would laugh at anything, especially her late husband, whom she met when she was 18 at Yank’s Confectionary in Akron, where she would stop to play pinball on her way home from school.

Her love of sharing her “sugary sweets” was no match for how she would share her genuinely sweet and loving personality, joyful laugh, and happy disposition. She was a true blessing to all who knew her and will be deeply missed.

Visitation for friends and family will be held at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240 from 10:00-11:00AM on Monday, April 14, 2025. A short graveside service at Homeland Cemetery in Rootstown will follow at 12:00PM.

In Lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to Crossroads Hospice of Ohio https://www.crhcf.org/donate, or University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.