Shirley Ann Tibbs Mitten

Shirley Ann Tibbs Mitten,75, of Sun City, Arizona, formerly of Peoria, died Saturday, December 22, 2012 in Sun City, Arizona.  She was born on October 28, 1937 in Minier, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Harvey A. and Bessie (Stroud) Litwiller.  She was first married to Paul Tibbs on June 12, 1955 in Middletown, Illinois, he preceded her in death in 1989 in Peoria, Illinois.  She later married John H. Mitten on October 23, 1996 in Las Vegas, Nevada, he survives.

Shirley is survived by two daughters, Shelly McLee of East Peoria and Cindy (Rick) Davis of Chillicothe, Illinois.   She has three grandchildren, Amanda(Charles) Allen, Josh(Katie)Gurnsey and Cassie(David)Munoz.  Also surviving are four great grandchildren Madison and Sofee Allen, Ariana Bungard and Alex Munoz.  She has two sisters Donna(Ralph)Stewart of Vandalia, Illinois and Wanda(Karl) Bloomquist of Mason City, Illinois.  Shirley also has three brother in laws, Bob(Joanne) Tibbs of Williamsville, Illinois, Harry(Jonie)Tibbs of Lincoln, Illinois and Ed Tibbs of Middletown, Illinois.  She also has one Aunt Inez Litwiller of Sun City, Arizona and several nieces, nephews and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her parents.

Shirley worked at Caterpillar Inc. for 30 years where she was the first woman foreman and first woman general foreman at the Mossville, Illinois facility.  She retired as a superintendent in Logistics in 1992.  She has been very involved in the Caterpillar Retiree’s Club, and also has held several board positions at the Palmbrook Country Club in Sun City, Arizona last serving as Vice President.  She was a former member of the University United Methodist Church in Peoria. 

Shirley was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend to everyone she met and will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Davison Fulton Woolsey Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria, Illinois. Shirley’s brother in law, Rev. Dr. Ralph Stewart will officiate.  Visitation will be Wednesday January 9, 2013 from 4 PM until 7 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.  Memorials may be given to the Leukemia Foundation.  You may view Shirley’s life story at www.woolsey-wilton.com.