Shirley Gene Battagler, 87, of rural Orrick, Mo., passed away Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Liberty Hospital. Shirley was born on the family farm near Orrick, on October 1, 1932, to Frank and Nettie (Hessenflow) Battagler. He had lived his entire life around Orrick and near where his life began. He was a lifelong farmer. He had attended Excelsior Springs High School and graduated with the class of 1950. He had served his country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict in the 1950’s. Shirley was united in marriage to Rosemary Mills, Rosemary preceded him in death on June 22, 2004.
Shirley loved to watch TV western shows, eat biscuits and gravy, and eat at the Mill Inn on Sundays and Wednesdays in Excelsior Springs. He also enjoyed his family and being with them. Shirley also loved and enjoyed being a farmer.
Shirley was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rosemary Battagler on June 22, 2004, and his son, Robert Donald “Bobby Don” Battagler on July 23, 2013. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Wilbur Battagler, Fred Battagler, Howard Battagler, C.W. Battagler, and Robert Battagler, and a sister, Mae Magdeline Hill.
He is survived by nephews, Alan Battagler and Gary Battagler of Orrick, Mo., Kurt Hill of Norwalk, Calif., and Donnie Battagler of Claycomo, Mo.; nieces, Joyce Battagler and Karen Koerner of Orrick, Mo., and Carolyn Sims of Mulvane, Kans.; and a sister-in-law, Nadine Battagler of Orrick, Mo. Also surviving are numerous great nieces and nephews.
Shirley will lie in state from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2020 at the Gowing Funeral Home in Orrick, where friends may come by to pay respects.
Graveside services with full military honors will be held on Monday, June 29, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at Union Cemetery northwest of Orrick.
Memorials are suggested to Union Cemetery Association in his memory.