Shirley W. Klungler

Shirley W. Klungler, 89, of Gorham, NH, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, after a period of failing health.

She was born Shirley Viola Wilbur on November 11, 1936, in Kingfield, Maine, the youngest daughter of Lionel and Velma (Danico) Wilbur. She attended the schools in Kingfield, graduating from high school in 1955. She then attended Boston University, graduating with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1959.

Shirley met her husband of 66 years, Erwin Klungler, in Kingfield. Erwin immigrated to the United States in 1956 to work in the wood turning industry there. The two were married on June 20, 1959, shortly after her college graduation. They settled in Kingfield and she began her teaching career as a high school teacher. Upon the birth of their only son, Shirley left her full- time teaching career to care for him. During that time, she worked part-time at Sugarloaf ski area where she also enjoyed skiing, and she sold AVON. Shirley was a minimalist when it came to makeup, but her signature trait was her nails; she kept them very long and polished, receiving many compliments about them.

In 1968, she and Erwin moved to Yonkers, New York for a new job opportunity. They remained in Yonkers for a year, relocating to Claremont, NH with the business in 1969. She restarted her teaching career in Claremont and taught fifth grade for 29 years. She enjoyed teaching children the joy of learning about their world and was well-respected and loved by her students. She could masterfully engage even the most challenging students. After her retirement, she and Erwin traveled frequently to Kingfield to care for her family homestead. They relocated to Gorham in 2005 as it was the half way point between Claremont and Kingfield.

Shirley had a wonderful passion for movies and travel. When she was in grade school, she would walk to the local theatre in Kingfield and watch the shows when possible. She maintained her love for movies throughout her life and was always up for a good science fiction movie or thriller. Her dreams about travel began when she was a young girl; she created a scrap book of the ocean liners of the time that would take her to faraway lands. She realized her

dream of being able to explore and travel after she married Erwin. They travelled extensively across the US and throughout Europe. Her most exotic trip was to Egypt, where she delighted in experiencing the history about which she had been teaching in her social studies class. Even when they weren’t traveling to faraway places, they were taking in new sights in the local area.

Shirley also had a passion for sports and reading. She coached girls’ sports while teaching high school. Once her grandchildren were active in sports, she and Erwin would also make special trips to support her grandsons’ t-ball and baseball games and other events. She faithfully followed the Celtics, Red Sox, and Patriots, allowing herself to be swept away by TB12 during his era. For many years she would walk daily to Byrne Auto Center to purchase the Boston Globe just to keep up with the sports teams. It was a sad day when Byrne had to stop selling the Globe. Reading avidly for years, she instilled a love of reading to anyone who would be swayed.

Shirley also loved her dogs and cats; having had many to dote on in her childhood and through her married years until she retired. In her middle years, her interest in photography led her to create a dark room in her Claremont home by spray painting the windows black. In her later years, she became masterful at puzzle building and enjoyed the challenge of solving Sudoku.

Shirley had a passion for living and enjoyed each new day to the fullest. She loved visits from her son and his family and knew how to enjoy their company well. She imparted much wisdom and she was never compromising of her values. She was an encourager and would make a person feel loved and appreciated. She was very no-nonsense but knew how to have fun. She never stopped dreaming of going on new adventures.

Shirley is survived by her husband Erwin; her son Scott (Marcia); three grandsons Kyle (Kari), Daniel (Lizzy), and Samuel; and five great-grandchildren Nanci, Rikki, Heidi, Duncan and Lawson; along with nieces, great nieces and nephews, and cousins.

There will be a graveside service for family and friends on May 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Sunnyside Cemetery in Kingfield, Maine. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to North Country Home Health & Hospice Agency, www.nchhha.org. Their support in Shirley’s final weeks was very much appreciated. Arrangements are entrusted to the Bryant Funeral Homes of Berlin & Gorham, NH. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.bryantfuneralhome.net