Obituaries » Shirley Dunston
Shirley Dunston
July 15, 1930 - April 6, 2022
Service Date: April 12, 2022
Funeral Home Memorial Services of Iowa
Shirley Dunston, 91, of Ankeny, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, with her family by her side.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 11, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A funeral will take place on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will follow the funeral at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://vimeo.com/697099935
Shirley Dunston, 91, of Ankeny, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022, with her family by her side.
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 11, 2022 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). A funeral will take place on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will follow the funeral at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://vimeo.com/697099935
Shirley was born to the late Earle William Sr and Gertrude “Estaleene” Pettinger, July 15, 1930, in Lucas County, IA. She graduated from Chariton High in 1948, focusing on typing and shorthand. She married the late Raleigh Milton Dunston in 1949, and they lived together in Des Moines for sixty-two years.
Shirley is survived by her children, Raleigh (Pam) Dunston of Green Valley, AZ, Angela Johnson of Ankeny, IA, Cynthia Barber of Urbandale, IA, and Tracy (Tom) Willis of Granger, IA; like a son, Rich (Angie) Pettinger of Altoona, IA; brothers, Dale Pettinger and Gene Pettinger; eight grandchildren, Wendy (Mark) Den Adel of Ankeny, IA, Raleigh (Stacy) Dunston II of Norwalk, IA, Gabriel (Staci) Dunston of Fort Worth, TX, Gayle (Alex) Kingery of Newton, IA, Jeremy (Kristin) Johnson of Grand Island, NE, Kelly (Jose) Calderon of Myrtle Beach, SC, Chad (Angela) Willis of Des Moines, IA, and Kevin (Abigail) Willis of Ankeny, IA.; fifteen great-grandchildren, Luke, Matthew and Abbie Den Adel of Ankeny, IA, Raleigh (Belma) Dunston III of Bondurant, IA, Blake Dunston of Des Moines, IA, Elise Dunston of Pella, IA, Ella, Karine, Gavin, and James Dunston of Fort Worth, TX, Alivia Kingery of Newton, IA, Sonya and Jasmin Calderon of Myrtle Beach, SC, Chayce and Chae Willis of Des Moines, IA, and Wilder Willis of Ankeny, IA.; four great-great grandchildren (plus one on the way), Cayden, Cayleb, Carter, and Mila Dunston of Bondurant, IA; three bonus grandchildren, Craig and Conner Pettinger of Altoona, IA, and Courtney (Jon) Pettinger-Squires of Hubbard, IA; and one bonus great-grandchild, Finley Pettinger-Squires of Hubbard, IA.
Those predeceasing Shirley were her loving husband in 2011; brothers, Stephen Pettinger and Earle Pettinger Jr; and sister Jacque Drottz.
Shirley worked in several industries prior to her career as a dedicated Executive Administrative Assistant, retiring from Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in 1989.
An accomplished seamstress, homemaker, domino player, square dancer, and extensive traveler with her husband, Shirley passed her appreciation of traveling to her children. Shirley was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind beautiful memories.
Shirley was an active member of Park Avenue Presbyterian Church, VFW Post 738 Auxiliary and The Optimist Club of Ankeny.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to support Alzheimer’s research, Optimist International Foundation, VFW Post 738 Auxiliary.