Longtime Martin resident Evelyn Pearl Shook died Friday, Dec. 22, at Stanford Lodge in Plainwell. She was 94.

She was born May 5, 1928, in Detroit, to Wilber and Nancy Orris. She was part of a large family, as she had 11 brothers and sisters.

Pearl moved with her family to Martin at a young age. She graduated as co-valedictorian from Martin High School. Pearl was a lifelong member of the Martin Methodist Church. She married Melville Shook on Oct. 28, 1953. Together they owned Martin Variety Store for 25 years. They adopted their daughter, Janet, in 1963.

Surviving are her daughter, Janet (David) Clark; granddaughter, Carla along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and siblings, Helen, David, Vernon, Herbert, Warren, Alice, Mary, Wilma, Dorothy, Robert and Ralph.

According to her wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a later time.

Contributions in memory of Pearl may be made to the Martin Methodist Church.

1 Comment

Trudy Beer
December 26, 2022
Pearl was a great lady with her dry sense of humor. Mel was crazy, always loved them. I knew them from when I was a young child. My grandparents lived in Martin and my mom and Pearl (Beverly Carpenter) were great friends growing up. I did stop to see Pearl this past summer and went out to lunch. Will miss you so much, happy you were in my life. RIP

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