Shirley V. Caves

Shirley V. (Verdehem) Caves, 82, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at her residence at The Highlands at Wyomissing.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joel Leonard Caves, with whom she married on September 1, 1962. Joel passed on May 11, 2022.

Born in Clifton Springs, New York, she was the daughter of Peter and Mary Anna (Marion) Verdehem. Shirley graduated from Phelps Central School in 1961 before going on to receive her Licensed Practical Nurse Degree from the State University of New York in 1962.

Shirley began her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse from 1962 to 1963 before transitioning to a sales position for Northeastern Distributors. Several years later she moved into a managerial role at Meridian Leasing. She later went on to become the owner and business operator of First Penn Leasing Company.

Shirley was an active member of her community where she volunteered for many organizations and served as President of the Junior League of Reading. She enjoyed skiing, tennis, golf, bridge, bike riding, sewing and knitting.

Shirley is survived by her sister, Arlene Murphy; her daughters, Jennifer Gerhart (spouse Loren Gerhart) and Rebecca Cinelli; her grandchildren: Ryan Paris (spouse Dana Paris), Alex Paris (spouse Kayla Schneider), Nathan Cinelli, and Peter Cinelli; and her great-grandson, Hudson Paris.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by six of her siblings: Marcia Ver Straete, Virginia Pasarek, Lilian Wilson, Rose Adams, Robert Verdehem, Carolyn Gawlik.

A visitation will be Friday, December 19, 2025, from 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Junior League of Reading, 1520 Penn Ave, Wyomissing, PA 19610, or American Cancer Society-Breast Cancer Memorial Donation, cancer.org/donate.

Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.