Shirley O Kendall

Born August 22, 1933 in Griffithville, Arkansas to Thomas and Ruby (Bruce) Dew, she married Robert Clifton Kendall on November 3, 1952 in Iuka. He died May 31, 2014 in Peoria. She also was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Rachel Calhoun and Leontine Holloway and one brother, Bruce Dew.

Surviving are two daughters, Susan Burk of Peoria and Mary (Mark) Rutherford of Shoreview, MN; one step-daughter, Carol (John) Stout of Peoria; one step-son, Robert M. (Leslie) Kendall of New Windsor; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons; one brother, Thomas (Frances) Dew of Texarkana, TX and three sisters, Laura Cooley of Dalzell, Helen Peel of Mabelvale, AR and Sammie (Roy Barger) Reynolds of La Vergne, TN.

Shirley formerly worked in the office of L.B. Price Company and then for Dennison Wholesale Liquors, both in Peoria prior to raising her children.

Shirley was a faithful member of Grace United Methodist Church, where she was an active member of the United Methodist Women and the Susannah Circle. Shirley was devoted to the kitchen ministry of the church and helped provide countless funeral dinners for the church. She was a part of the church’s “Revision” committee and served on the outreach and worship committees of the church. She also was a member of the Y.A.M. Adult Sunday School Class and was a mentor at the Pekin Housing Authority with the church.

She was a loving wife and mother and adored her grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin, and also from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church for the Growing God’s Grace Building Fund, 601 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

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