Prugh Funeral Home obituary – Carl Elmer Shirts, 80, Burlington

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SHIRTS

Carl Elmer Shirts, 80, of Burlington, went to be with the Lord at 1:14 AM Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.

Born November 9, 1941, in Burlington, IA, he was the son of Elmer Edwin and Evelyn Pearl Peterson Shirts. On October 24, 1964, he married Norma J Wheatley in Burlington, IA. She died July 25, 1984.

Carl worked for the City of Burlington as a heavy equipment Operator and a subcontractor for Alliant Energy until his retirement. He later worked for Foster Tree Service.

He was a self motivated man that never asked for anything. If he couldn't get it himself, he did without. When it came to his sons there was nothing he wouldn't sacrifice to make sure their lives were a little better. He loved his wife of 20 years with every ounce of his heart.  He loved to hunt arrowheads, and he sure loved to show them to his friends and family. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and gardener.  He loved to watch Golf on TV on the weekends in the comfort of his own home.  He also loved to cruise around the local parks and look for deer. He would always light up the room with his smile and his ornery charisma.  He took up metal detecting later on in his life and he would bring joy to our hearts with his stories of his adventures. He selflessly gave of himself for his grandchildren. He loved each and every person in his life. He didn't complain about life's problems he had  to face. I hope we can all learn a little from what this man showed us during his time here.

Survivors include his sons, Edwin (Josie) Shirts of Burlington, Robert (Kimberly) Shirts of Fort Madison, and Carl (Shannon McGregor) Shirts II, of Burlington; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; fifteen step-grandchildren and one sister, Patricia Bryden of California.

Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Norman, Burlyn and Robert Shirts.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

The Celebration of Life for Mr. Shirts will be 7:00 PM Thursday, March 17, 2022, at First Church of the Nazarene.

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Carl's obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

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