Catherine Shirley Erxleben

Born December 9, 1937 in Lowell, MA to Cyprien and Helen (Derring) Desmarais, she married Lawrence "Larry" Erxleben on January 28, 1957 at Ayer, MA. He died on April 12, 2012 in Quincy. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are two daughters, Deborah A. "Debbie" (James) Heinz of Chillicothe and Catherine M. "Cathy" (Gary Davis) Sangalli of Pekin; twelve grandchildren, Tom (Alisha) Cihla, Laurie (Bruce) Cornell, Joey (Jaime) Cihla, all of Chillicothe, Justin Sangalli of Washington, Ryan Sangalli of Manito, Shelly (Jim) Klieber of Pekin, Kevin (Ashlee) Davis of Dallas, TX, Jamie (Mike) Jokhy of Canada, Brian (Gina) Davis, Nathan Davis, both of Pekin, Kimberlee (Jason) Brown of Kirkwood, MO and Ashlee (Jeff) Sheely of Edmond, OK and she was Greaty-grandma to twenty-five. She also leaves a special niece, Sherry (Doug) Hendrickson of Glendive, MT and many great nieces and nephews.

Shirley worked for Community Care for 25 years as a care giver to the elderly. Shirley also was most proud of working with her husband for five summers at Yellowstone National Park. She loved it there.

Shirley never met a stranger and she loved telling jokes. She and her husband also loved to dance and enjoyed the outdoors.

She was a member of Sacre Coeur Catholic Church in Creve Coeur.

Her funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Father Keith Walder will officiate. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.

Memorial contributions may be made to the OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, 8630 Illinois Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615.

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