Kenneth A. Shirley

Kenneth A. Shirley recently passed away at Pittsburgh VA Medical Center. He was born January 29, 1954, in Latrobe. Ken was a dedicated husband to his wife, Jane (Warren) Shirley with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage in January. He was a loving father to his three children, son, Ray Piper, daughter, Christine Keefe (Dan), and son, Danny Shirley (Emily); five grandchildren, Kayla Kovatch (Steve), Aaron Keefe (Hannah), Travis Piper, Abby Piper (Niko), and Lyla Shirley; and three great-grandchildren, Colt Kovatch, Greyson Piper, and Cohen Kovatch. Additionally, Ken had two sisters, nieces, and a nephew. He was preceded in death by his son Danny Shirley of Fombell, a sister Margaret A. DeLorenzo of Tennessee, and his parents Kenneth E. Shirley of Derry and Marilyn J. (Smail) Laurenzi of New Alexandria.

Ken’s family always came first. He lived a full life spending time with his family which was most important to him. Ken was a car enthusiast. He liked watching Nascar racing in his spare time, built several muscle cars, and enjoyed building race cars with his friends for dirt track racing for many years.

Ken was discharged from the Army as a heavy truck mechanic in 1980. From there he worked as a Master Automobile Technician for over thirty years at several dealerships including Arnold Palmer Motors, Sendell Motors, and C-Harper Auto Group. After retirement, he worked part-time at Shott’s Industrial Metals for several years until this July and enjoyed working as a Tech Inspector at Latrobe Speedway for many years as well. Weekdays were for working hard to provide for his family, but weekends were for the track.

Ken will be honored at a memorial service at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 1325 Mission Road, Latrobe, PA 15650, on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at 3:00 pm. Military Honors will be rendered following the service by the Blairsville Military Honor Guard. FREDERICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1543 Ligonier St., Latrobe, PA 15650, assisted with arrangements. To send condolences, please visit www.FrederickFuneralHome.com.