Shirley J. Rath, 91, of Bowling Green, Ohio passed away May 20, 2026. She was born August 13, 1934 in Gibsonburg, Ohio to the late Wilbur “Dutch” and Florence (Geahlen) Bankey. She married Charles Lee Rath July 12, 1953 and he preceded her in death in 2014.
Shirley was a 1953 graduate of Bowling Green High School. She owned, operated and worked as a beautician at The Beauty Nook for 14 years and worked as a secretary at the Wood County Senior Center for 13 years. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bowling Green and a life-member of VFW Post 1148.
Shirley enjoyed cross stitching, gardening and most of all spending time with her family and dogs.
She is survived by her daughter Tanya “Toni” (Stu) Sockrider, sister Sharon Sattler, grandchildren Sara (Phil) Foos, Shane (Lauren) Sockrider, Amber (Scott) Schutt and Kyle (Christa) Rath and great-grandchildren Carter & Camille Foos, Dylan, Daniel & Natalie Sockrider, Noah & Grant Schutt and Charley & Ethan Rath.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband Charles, son Douglas Lee Rath and brother Wilbur Bankey Jr.
Her funeral service will be held on Saturday May 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Dunn Funeral Home, located in the Historical District of Bowling Green at 408 W. Wooster St. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Bowling Green. Visitation will be held Saturday morning at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be given in her memory to The American Heart Association.
To share an online condolence or fond memory with the family please visit www.dunnfuneralhome.com.
