Shirley Ann (Dry) Kramer

Shirley Ann Kramer, née Dry, 87, of Cochranville, PA passed away on August 18, 2025, at Ware Presbyterian Village in Oxford, PA. She was born at home in Richland, Pennsylvania, the eldest of three daughters of Paul David and Lillian Arlene (Noll) Dry. She graduated in 1955 from the Eastern Lebanon County School District (ELCO), during its inaugural year following consolidation.

Early in life, Shirley worked at the Richland Knitting Mills in Richland, PA. For 32 years, she faithfully made subs for Raub’s Subs at Roots Market in Manheim and the Green Dragon in Ephrata. On August 23, 1958, she married Robert E. Kramer—son of Edward and Anna (Kramer) Kramer of Schuylkill Haven, PA. They shared 54 years of marriage until Robert’s passing on their anniversary in 2012.

Shirley also worked as a playground and teacher’s aide at West Fallowfield Elementary and Parkesburg Elementary—both part of the Octorara Area School District—before retiring to become a full-time mother to her two children.

A talented musician, Shirley played both saxophone and accordion in the Lebanon Valley Gospel Band. She was a passionate cook and gardener, roles she embraced wholeheartedly. For 25 years, she served as head cook for The Evangelical Christian Church’s Family, Teen and Youth Camps at Seyfert Camp in Birdsboro, PA, and for 28 years, she cooked for the Mt. Bethany Gospel Gun Club in Lock Haven, PA. Each year, she cultivated a large backyard vegetable garden, preserving her harvest for the winter and passing her love of gardening and cooking to her grandchildren. Shirley served as the secretary of Cub Scout Pack 26 for many years.

Shirley was a faithful member of Towerville Christian Church in Coatesville, PA, where she served as President of the Women’s Missionary Society and taught Sunday School. Alongside her husband, she also helped lead churches in Pleasant Hill, MD, and Newark, DE. In later years, she became a member of Faith Bible Chapel at Wesley Acres in Cochranville, PA, where she led the Women’s Bible Study for 10 years and headed the Card Ministry.

Skilled with a needle and thread, Shirley loved to sew, often making clothes and providing mending services for family and friends. In her later years, she faced health challenges as a kidney dialysis patient for six years at DaVita Dialysis Center in West Grove, PA. The family is especially grateful to those who supported and cared for Shirley during this time, including the compassionate teams at County Line Medical Center in Gap, PA, DaVita in West Grove, Ware Presbyterian Village Personal Care in Oxford, Willow Tree Hospice in Kennett Square, and all those who faithfully provided transportation for her and prayed for her.

Above all, Shirley loved her family, neighbors, and friends—especially her grandchildren. Her legacy of love, faith, service, and hospitality lives on in those who knew and cherished her.

Shirley is survived by her son, Neal R. Kramer, husband of Rowena Kramer, of Oxford, PA, and her daughter, Dawn M. (Kramer) Wooten, wife of William W. Wooten, of Cochranville, PA. She is also survived by her grandson, Jeremy W. Wooten, husband of Hannah J. (Thorp) Wooten, of Oxford, PA, and her granddaughter, Tiffany M. (Wooten) Reid, wife of Zechariah J. Reid, also of Oxford, PA.

Shirley is further survived by her sisters: Beverly M. (Dry) Heisler, wife of Wendell J. Heisler, of Tamaqua, PA, and Carol S. (Dry) Kocher, wife of Harold K. Kocher, of Myerstown, PA. She leaves behind aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Faith Bible Chapel, 140 Bernard Ave., Cochranville, PA. Visitation is 9:00-10:30 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life Service beginning at 10:30 AM, officiated by Pastors M. Scott Althouse and Daniel D. Wagner. Immediately following will be the burial at the Cochranville United Methodist Cemetery, 147 Cochran Street, Cochranville, PA.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg, PA. Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com