Shirley A. DeLong

Shirley A. DeLong, 70, of Springfield died at 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2007 at St. John’s Hospice. Shirley was born June 11, 1936 in Nokomis, the daughter of Herbert and Mary Jachino Lakin. She married Ronald E. DeLong on April 20, 1957 at the First Methodist Church in Nokomis. She graduated from Nokomis High School and attended Eastern Illinois University. She began working for the State of Illinois Secretary of State in January 1955 and moved to the Illinois Department of Public Aid, Bureau of Child Support in January 1977. She assumed the position of Family Support Specialist in 1984. Shirley retired from state government in 1997 with more than 30 years of service. She was a member of Laurel United Methodist Church and a member of Rebecca Parish Circle and United Methodist Women. She was also a member of Studebaker Driver’s Club, Route 66 Club, and Avanti Driver’s Club. Mrs. De Long was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of fifty years: Ronald E. DeLong of Springfield; daughter: Julie (husband, Arthur) Hermes of New Berlin; three grandchildren: Rachel, Alex and Madison Hermes; one brother: Herbert (wife, Marjorie) Lakin of Huntington Beach , CA; one niece: Melissa Lakin of Huntington Beach, CA; and several nephews. The family welcomes friends to visit from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will be at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 12 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home with Rev. John P. Hamilton from Laurel United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Memorial Chapel Mausoleum. The family has requested memorial contributions be made to: Laurel United Methodist Church, 631 W. South Grand Ave., Springfield, IL 62704, or to: American Cancer Society, 1305 Wabash, Ste. J., Springfield, IL 62704.