Shirley J Weihmeir

She was born Margaret Jane Starr on January 5, 1928 in Chicago. She raised eight children with her first love, James Belcher, who passed away in 1976. Through her love of dancing, she met her second husband, Lyle Weihmeir and married him at age 59. She and Lyle enjoyed many beautiful years together working and traveling before Lyle became ill. She devoted herself to Lyle’s care until he passed.

Besides her two loved husbands, she was proceeded in death by one dear son, John Belcher. She is survived by a beloved brother, Joseph Starr, her remaining children James (Maggie), Patrick (Marlee), Thomas (Mary Lou), Coleen (Jim) Martin, Joe (Karen), Rick (Teresa), Cathleen (John) Guldan, as well as 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great- great-grandchild.

She managed the many adversities in her long life with strength grounded in her faith and her unyielding willpower. Her fortitude guarded a soft and generous heart from which she loved deeply. She lived in service to her family. While still a very young mother herself, she cared for her own dying mother, she persevered as a young widow, and she tirelessly cared for Lyle during his long illness. She enjoyed dancing, traveling and learning new things. Her creative spirit led her to take up painting later in life and she surprised all of us by, in her 80s, learning and successfully managing the farm business when Lyle became ill.

We will truly miss and always be grateful for her strength, quick wit, feistiness, wisdom, support, and deep love.

Her Catholic Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 12, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where guidelines regarding social distancing and wearing of masks will be followed. Father Michael Andrejek will be the celebrant. Shirley’s Mass will be livestreamed at https://stjosephpekin.org/parish-life/mass-streaming. Private immediate family visitation will be held prior to the Mass Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Pekin

She was passionate about feeding the hungry and generous to the church and local food banks. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Monica’s Church Food Pantry at www.stmonicachurch.net

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com