INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DONNA AHLGRIM BENEDICT, SISTER
Deceased Classmate: Shirley Ahlgrim (Pangborn) sister, 1951
Date Of Birth: July-29-1933
Date Deceased: July-3-1968
Age at Death: 34
Cause of Death: Personal plane crash with family
Classmate City: Hobart
Classmate State: IN
Classmate Country: USA
Was a Veteran: Yes Air Force
Survived By: Sisters Donna Benedict and Geraldine Hatten (CA) brothers and sisters-in-law
Shirley was a WONDERFUL sister. WE were apart in age by only 17 months and were very close as we traveled a lot with parents and often each other's only friend in a new area. Today would be her 82nd birthday, so this is quite relevant. I loved her dearly and still miss her after these 47 years she's been gone (plus her husband and 3 children.)
FROM CLASSMATE GWEN GEE CULBRETH:
Shirley Ahlgrim was a good friend during high school. She, her husband, and their children all perished when their plane crashed.
Donna Ahlgrim (Benedict) (1951)
Shirley Lorene Ahlgrim was my beloved big sister. We played together as children and were very close as our family traveled a lot during winter months to CA, LA, AL and TN. As our senior year approached we "told" our parents we would not travel that year, but wanted to be with our classmates at HHS, so we stayed.
Shirley joined the Air Force just a year after graduation, met and married Patrick Pangborn from Milwaukee. They had 3 children, 2 girls and a boy. When Pat was shipped to Africa, Shirley joined him there and learned much about Rabat, Morocco.
They settled in the Milwaukee area after he was discharged, and he learned how to pilot a plane. They enjoyed taking their family and others on trips. In 1968 when we were serving in East Pakistan and enjoying our first tiny son of 3 months, Pat, Shirley and 3 children left Milwaukee to fly to Maine. On July 3, just East of Niagara Falls in Gasport, NY, Pat radioed in that he had lost his wings and was spinning in. All 5 were killed on impact. We will never forget that wonderful family and the joy that is ours because of their love!