Shirley E. "Shirl" Mauldin

Apr 27, 1928 -

May 23, 2022

Longtime Alaskan Shirley E. "Shirl" Mauldin, 94, entered God's eternity, on May 23, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska, after a recent fall and multiple complications.

Born Shirley Eloise Winstead on April 27, 1928, in Portland, Ore., to Stanley and Leota Winstead, Shirl was raised in Newport, Ore. Her early years were filled with church, art, beachcombing, roller skating and music. At age 13, she moved to California, where she later met and married L.B. Mauldin. They eloped, lied about their ages and married in 1943. Shirl was 15 and L.B. was 19. She always said "I was a pretty smart 15 year old." The first seven years of marriage Shirl worked as a secretary and sang professionally three nights a week. Four children were born to them. She later worked weight and balance on aircraft at Travis AFB.

In 1956, Shirl and L.B. drove the Alcan Highway to Alaska. They settled in Eagle River in 1957, on a 2 1/2 acre homesite, where they built their home. The ensuing years Shirley worked civil service on Elmendorf AFB and in the evenings baked pies for the Knik Knak Shop. She published a local paper, "The Eagle." The proceeds from the paper paid for Eagle River's first fire truck. She had her own commercial art business. Her signs and designs can still be seen around the community. Shirl was also involved in Operation Chugiak High School, the Historical Society and the United Methodist Church. Shirley loved to travel and never turned down a "road trip."

Shirl was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, L.B.; daughter, Merry Adams; and grandchildren, Tita Abada and Cache McCaughey. She is survived by sons, Randle Mauldin of Chugiak, and Bart Mauldin and wife Kate of Sedona, Ariz.; daughter, Leslie Christian and husband Dennis of Oak Harbor, Wash.; seven grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandsons; and many close nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sept. 14, 2022, at the United Methodist Church of Chugiak, at 4:30 p.m.