Shirley J. Willeford, 85, of Burlington, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the OakView Nursing Home and Rehabilitation in Burlington.
Born Oct. 30, 1938, in Illinois, she was the daughter of Howard and Mary Parker Frakes. On March 3, 1962, she married David "Itch" Willeford. He died on Sept. 16, 1988.
She graduated from Industry High School in Illinois.
After high school, Shirley moved to Chicago and started working in a restaurant. Over the years, she had worked for a number of companies in the area., including; IRC, AntennaCraft, Hooligan's, Burlington School System, and Fun Wash Laundromat.
Shirley enjoyed knitting, crocheting, and gardening. She loved her ice cream, and would occasionally make her own. Most of all, her family was very important to her. She enjoyed family gatherings and the reunions that they would have on the Fourth of July.
Survivors include her sons, Curt (Kelly) Willeford of Burlington and Steven (Shannon) Willeford of Spring Lake, Mich.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchild; three sisters, Sandy (Larry) Marquis of Rushville, Ill., Mary Lynn (Craig) Bussanmas of Ark., and April Vaughn of Macomb, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, Merl Bozo and Majorie Willeford, brother, Henry Frakes, two sisters, Norma Pleasant and Beulah Perkins, and brother-in-law, Charles Willeford.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The Graveside Service will be held in Aspen Grove at a later date.
A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.