Shelby Heise

Shelby was born on June 13, 1936 to the late William “Wild Bill” Standen and Alice (Johnston) Standen. In October 1955 she married Donald E. Heise. They shared 60 years of marriage until his death in 2016.

Raised on her father’s farm on Doyle School Road in Lachine with her nine siblings, Shelby learned the value of hard work and family from a young age. She drove teams of horses, helped care for her siblings, and became known for preparing her famous home cooked meals from scratch. These skills served her well as she raised her seven children and later doted on her many grandchildren who cherished the stories she shared from her upbringing. Many will fondly remember her kitchen table filled with homemade cookies and the long goodbyes that always stretched out to the driveway.

Shelby retired from GTE Corporation in Alpena, after many years of service as a telephone operator.

She is survived by six children: Connie (Mark) Couture, Donald Jr., Steven, Tom (Cirrae) Heise, Shelly (Trevor) Dault, Curt, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings Joyce Hale, Mary (Mike) Costigan, Marge (Jack) Cobb, Willy (Connie) Standen, Linda Skiba and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her stepmother Edna, husband Donald, daughter Kristi, and brothers Ralph, Albert, Richard and Roger.

The family would like to thank Turning Brook, Medilodge of Alpena, and Compassus for caring for Shelby for the last five years.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday April 25, 2026 at McWilliams Funeral Home from 10 a.m. until the memorial service at noon with Rev. Paul Moceri officiating.

Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made to Compassus.