Frances Rosemarie "Fran" Schirle's Obituary
Frances “Fran” Rosemarie Schirle (née Sobrero), age 100, passed away Saturday evening, June 21, 2025, in Mecosta, Michigan. She was born August 11, 1924, in San Lorenzo, California, the daughter of the late Frank and Louise Sobrero (née Buzzalino).
Fran was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Harold F. “Frank” Schirle; three brothers William Sobrero (Rose), Edmund Sobrero (Mabel), and Arthur Sobrero (Colleen).
Fran is survived by her three children, Jeanne Brickner (Gary), Paul Schirle (Phyllis), and Lynn Currelly (Brad); four grandchildren, Kyra, Kelly, Rose, and Nate (Brenna); and three great grandchildren, Christopher, Caylie, and Max. She is also survived by her brother Ronald Sobrero (Patricia).
She grew up in the Bay Area of San Francisco, the only girl in a family with four boys. One of Fran’s best friends from childhood was her neighbor Rose Sobrero (née Ghiglione); they remained lifelong friends, with Rose ultimately becoming one of Fran’s sisters-in-law, along with Mabel, Colleen, and Patricia. Another close friend was her dear cousin Barbara Pedemonte, with whom she sailed from the Ferry Building in San Francisco in 1948 for a Hawaiian Island vacation.
Fran attended Armstrong Business School in Berkeley, California. Her first full time jobs were with Sears, Roebuck and Co’s accounting department, followed by Caterpillar Tractor Co, where she used her skills with comptometers to produce detailed company financial reports.
Fran met her future husband, Frank, at a community dance in the Bay Area. Just six months later, they were engaged and married, beginning a lifelong partnership. Together they raised their family in both Northern and Southern California, before Frank’s job with Chevrolet relocated the family to the Detroit area. After Frank retired, they moved to Canadian Lakes, Michigan - a place they had long enjoyed for vacations and visits, and where they had formed many cherished friendships.
Fran was a talented artist. She loved working with watercolors and using her creative china painting skills to produce beautiful kiln-fired plates, religious items, and family keepsakes. Each Christmas, she hand-painted her own card designs - something her family always looked forward to and appreciated as a special part of the season.
Faith was an important part of Fran’s life. She was a member of St Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Remus, Michigan, where she especially enjoyed sitting with her friends during the Saturday evening services.
There will be a visitation at St Michael’s (8929 50th Avenue, Remus, Michigan 49340) Friday, June 27th, from 4:00pm to 6:00pm, with a Rosary at 5:30pm. There will be another visitation Saturday morning, June 28th, 10:00am at St Michael’s, followed by the Funeral Mass at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St Michael’s School Foundation at the Church address above, or to God’s Helping Hands of Mecosta County at 8760 50th Avenue, Remus Michigan 49340.
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