Shirley A. Arvo

Houghton
Shirley Ann (Cooperider) Arvo was born on December 29, 1934, in
Unionville Center, Ohio, to William (Lloyd) and Sylvia Aliina
(Lassila) Cooperider.

At the age of three, her family moved to Hancock, MI. She was raised
in Hancock and graduated from the Hancock High School with the class
of 1953. After graduating, she attended Suomi College/ Finlandia
University. She moved to Detroit in the summer of 1954 and worked for
the AAA Insurance Co.

On January 21, 1956, she was united in marriage to Jack Oscar Arvo and
they lived in Detroit until Sept. of 1957, when Jack accepted a job at
Michigan Tech., and they moved back to the Copper Country, making
their home in Houghton.

She worked part-time at Coast to Coast from 1961-1965 and the Book
Concern Printers for one year, part time. In 1967, she worked in
Houghton for the Secretary of State Office at the License Bureau, and
then became the Branch Manager. In Dec. 1970, she started working for
the Houghton-Portage Township Schools as a secretary, retiring in Dec.
1992, after 22 years.

Shirley was a former member of the Suomi College Alumni Board, former
member of the Houghton Business and Professional Women's group, and a 
member of the Portage Hospital Auxiliary. She sang in the Suomi
College Choir. She was a member of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, serving
on funeral luncheon groups, the Altar Guild, Social Ministry, and
singing at the Medical Care and Cypress. Former member of the Church
choir and directed the church choir. She also worked at registration
for Relay for Life.

She is survived by her two sons and their families: Michael Arvo
(Dorinda) of AZ, and their four children, Aimee Lendon (Michael) and
daughter Kendall of OH; Megan Rangel (Albert Ramirez) and children
Rosalie, Bennett, and Jeremiah of TX; Heather Schmidt (Matt) and their
sons Liam and Noah of CA; Matthew Arvo (Janet) of AZ. Ronald Arvo and
his daughter Shannon of Houghton. Daughter-in-law Michele Arvo of TX
and her four sons: Daniel Arvo (Lauren) and children William and
Scarlett, of TX; Ryan Arvo (Mallory) and children Jack and Anna;
Nicholas Arvo and Alexander Arvo of TX. She is also survived by a
much-loved nephew, nieces, and several cousins.

She was preceded in death by husband Jack and son James; granddaughter
Kelly Anne Arvo; brother William Edward Cooperider; parents William
(Lloyd) Cooperider and Sylvia Aliina (Lassila) Cooperider; and special
aunt and uncle Helmi and Emil Nivala.

She enjoyed traveling to see her children, grandchildren, and
great-grandchildren, who were the loves of her life.

A funeral service for Shirley will be held 11:00 am Saturday, January
17, 2026, at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock with Rev. Brahm
Semmler Smith to officiate. Spring burial will be in the Forest Hill
Cemetery of Houghton.

Friends may call on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 10:00 am until
time of services at the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church of Hancock.

To view Shirley’s obituary or to send condolences to the family, please
visit www.memorialchapel.net.

The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is
assisting the family with the arrangements.