Shirley Ann Groll, age 86 of Defiance, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at ProMedica Defiance Regional Hospital.

She was born in Trenton, New Jersey on February 9, 1940 to the late Oris and Marvel (Wolfe) Slusser. In January, 1959 she married Charles Groll Jr., who preceded her in death on March 30, 2006.

Shirley was a faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church and was active in the Ladies Aide. She was a stay at home mother to her three beautiful children before working at Campbell Soup Company for 18 years until her retirement in 1999. Shirley loved children and she was a loving babysitter and a mother to all she met. She enjoyed bowling in Campbell Soup bowling leagues, gardening and flowers. She loved road trips with JoJo and Carla Jo. She also loved all animals, especially her cat Tinkerbell and two dogs Holly Dolly and Daisy May. Shirley will be sadly missed by her family and many good friends.

Shirley is survived by her loving daughters, Beth (Bruce) Bowers of Bryan, OH and Connie Kerr of Defiance, five grandchildren, Katherine Bowers, Brooke Bowers, Angie Bowers, Andy (Alita) Bowers, and Brayden Kerr, four great-grandchildren, Hannah and Lani Bowers, Cody and Drew Bowser, and her siblings, Sam (Deb) Slusser of Defiance, Helen (Tom) Rosak of SC, and Judy (Skip) Lolmaugh of Defiance.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Groll Jr., son, Jeff Groll, grandson, Nicholas Bowers, and son-in-law, Max Kerr.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 2-7 pm at Schaffer Funeral Home in Defiance. A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Monday, April 27th at the funeral home, with Pastor Kurt Mews officiating. Shirley will be laid to rest in Riverview Memory Gardens.

Memorials are suggested to a charity of the donor's choice.