Erdeen D Kalinoff

Erdeen D. Kalinoff, 93, of Fort Gratiot, passed away on Monday, September 15, 2025.

She was born March 8, 1932 in Forester, MI to the late Winslow and Elva (Southerland) Shipley.

Erdeen served as a volunteer for the St. Joseph Mercy and its Mercy Auxiliary Volunteer Organization (MAVO) from 2002 until 2019. In 2009, she was recognized as Volunteer of the Year. She was highlighted for her dedication to multiple areas within St. Joseph Mercy as well as her commitment to patients and staff. Erdeen also served on the MAVO Board as the representative for the People’s Clinic.

She worked at the St. Clair Rubber Company in Marysville as a switchboard operator until they closed. She then went to work at the Palms Krystal Bar as a waitress and served the patrons for over 3 decades. Erdeen thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her regular customers and looked forward to their visits.

Erdeen enjoyed trips to the casino and always made a stop in Las Vegas when making her annual visit to California to spend time with her daughter. She was an avid jigsaw puzzler and collected of over 365 puzzles over the years.

She is survived by her daughter, Patsy Gougeon (Myke); 6 step-grandchildren; 7 step-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including a special niece, Stephanie Cooper who was her Sunday companion for over 2 decades; and a special sister-in-law, Patricia Laber who was always in her corner.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Clatus Gougeon and Stephen Kalinoff; sisters, Sandra Lickfelt and Shirley Allen; brothers, Ronald and Donald Shipley; and stepchildren, Monica Thompson and Michael Jackson.

Private graveside services will take place at Mt. Hope Catholic Cemetery, Port Huron.

Arrangements are by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com

The family would like to give special thanks to the staff and residents at Lakeshore Woods and Accent Care Hospice for all the kindness and care shown to Erdeen and her family.