She was born to Victor Preston and Alta Lucille (Smith) Hartwell on October 30, 1934 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Shirley and her family moved to Peoria in 1943. She attended Columbia and Von Stuben Grade Schools and graduated from Peoria High School in 1952.
Shirley matriculated at Bradley University where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in speech communication in 1956. During her studies at Bradley, she was a member of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and served as president of her senior class. Shirley co-hosted The Bradley House Party on WIRL Radio and worked at the station as a commercial writer. She also worked in the Bradley Speech Department.
On August 2, 1958, Shirley married John R Pletkovich in Princeville. Two sons were born to them. The family later resided in Geneseo and Kewanee. Shirley and her husband moved to Peoria in 2001. Over a twenty-five year teaching career, she taught in the Princeville, Geneseo, Orion, and Annawan school systems. At Annawan, she coached girls varsity basketball and later girls middle school basketball.
Since her return to Peoria, Shirley held memberships in the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, Peoria County Republican Women, and the United Presbyterian Church. In 2014, Shirley and John joined First Federated Church. She was also a member of various bowling and golf leagues and enjoyed bridge.
In addition to her husband John, Shirley is survived by sons Tim (Melissa) of Peoria, Tom of Dallas, Texas, granddaughters Torie Pletkovich of San Diego, California, Kate (Dan) Schreiber of Alameda, California, and great granddaughter Isabel Schreiber of Alameda, California, sister Sue (Tom) Krebs of Pensacola, Florida, brother Jim (Louita) Hartwell of Champaign, Illinois, three nephews, two nieces, two great nephews and a great niece.
Shirley was preceded in death by her four-legged companion, Dusty.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to PCAPS or the Bradley University Alumni Office.
A Celebration of Life will be held 10:30 am on Saturday, August 11, 2018 at First Federated Church in Peoria. If all guests in attendance would please wear red, white, and blue to honor Shirley’s patriotism, the family would be most appreciative.
