Shirley J. (Hill) Willet

OTTAWA – Shirley J. Willet, age 84, of Ottawa, died peacefully early Sunday morning, November 25, 2012 at OSF Saint Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 30, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Pastor Donna Trinko officiating.  Burial will follow in Ottawa Avenue Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.  Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Chad, Cory, Mathew, Michael and Jacob Willet and her nephew, Bill Willet.

Shirley was the oldest of four daughters born October 23, 1928 in Marseilles to George P. and Natalie (Pellegrini) Hill.  Her sisters include Colleen Ugolini, Beverly and Bill Dunn and the late Susan Cooper.  Shirley attended Marseilles grade and high school graduating in 1946.  Following high school she was accepted into the Ryburn King Nursing Program graduating as a registered nurse.  Shirley spent 25 years at Ryburn Hospital and also at Ottawa Community.  After leaving the hospital Shirley continued her nursing career for 18 years at LaSalle County Nursing Home where she dearly loved and cared for the elderly, retiring in 1988.

Shirley met Robert F. Willet at Ryburn Hospital when she was taking care of his brother, Lavern.  Shirley and Bob were married November 20, 1949 and were blessed with four children.  Chuck and René Willet live in St. Ignatious MT.  Doug Willet and Jim and Darice Willet and Nancy and Kevin Mason all live in Ottawa.  Shirley and Bob had nine grandchildren, Chad, Erica, Cory, Mathew, Robert “Max”, Michael and Jacob Willet, Keri Burdette and James Mason; and one great grandson, Jude Matthew Willet.

Shirley absolutely loved music.  In high school she was involved in Glee Club and was a drum majorette leading the band in many parades.  She belonged to Sweet Adelines and sang in many competitions and sewed all her own costumes.  When Sweet Adelines were no longer in the area, Shirley came to sing with her church choir.  She particularly loved the Easter cantatas the Evangelical United Methodist Church would perform each year.  You could always find her in playing the piano working on a difficult part.  When not playing the piano early Saturday mornings you could find her out pulling weeds in her rose garden.  Shirley loved family, friends, flowers, and music.  She was a dedicated nursing professional and she will truly be missed by all.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Evangelical United Methodist Church Choir.  To share a memory or sign the guestbook, please visit www.gladfelterfuneralhome.com .