Shirley Capp Spacapan

Of Arlington Heights

formerly of Zion

Shirley Spacapan (nee Capp) was born on April 11,1928 in Zion, Illinois to Arthur and Iva (nee Teeple) Capp. She died peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2022 surrounded by her family at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Illinois.

Shirley and Ed, her husband, earned their Illinois teaching certificates from Northern Illinois Teachers’ College following the close of WWII. They moved to Rolling Meadows in the early 1950’s and then to Arlington Heights where they raised their family. Ed taught high school and was an administrator in High School District 214 for over 30 years. Shirley began her teaching career at Clearbrook as a Special Education Teacher and taught there for over 20 years. She was instrumental in developing the Infant Stimulation Program for children with developmental delays or disabilities. This program is still being offered by Clearbrook today.

Shirley and Ed began attending church at Arlington Heights Evangelical Free Church (The Orchard Church) soon after it was founded in 1953. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, always serving in children’s ministries including the nursery, Community Bible Study, and Mom’s Day Out. Many church members recall Shirley’s gift of sharing God’s Word with them as children and also how she demonstrated Jesus’ love through her kindness.

Shirley was a committed and loving grandmother who enjoyed catching up with her nine grandchildren through instant messaging. (Yes, she was an early adopter.) She relished spending winters on Marco Island in Florida and the times spent shelling at the beach with her husband, children and grandchildren.

Shirley loved meeting with the Lord each day in her Bible studies, gardening in her yard and searching farm and garage sales for that one-of-kind antique she would proudly display in her home. She also loved to play bridge with her husband and the many couples they met through District 214. Her home was filled with joy and laughter!

Shirley is survived by her husband of 72 years Edward Spacapan, Sr.; her sons Edward (Lise) Spacapan, Jr., Keith (Renee) Spacapan and Kevin (Gayle) Spacapan; her grandchildren Mary, Margaret, Madeleine, Melissa, Ben (Casey), and John Spacapan, Molly (Jonathan) Huff, Kristin (Jim) Pasakarnis and Kara (Matt) Zwirkoski. Shirley has three great grandchildren, Britta Zwirkoski, Braden Pasakarnis, and Forrest Huff. She is also survived by her son-in-law Mike Nichol and his family (wife Jane and children Riley and Georgia). Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Arthur Capp, Jr. and William Capp, and her daughter Shirlynn Spacapan.

Visitation for Shirley Spacapan will be Friday, April 29, 2022 at 10:00 am followed by a memorial service at 11:00 am at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 North Douglas Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60004. Interment will take place on that Friday afternoon at Mt. Olivet Memorial Park, 1436 Kenosha Rd., Zion, IL 60099.

Memorial donations may be made to the Shirlynn Spacapan Memorial Scholarship, Kingston 221, Harvey Mudd College, 301 E. 12th Street, Claremont CA 91711.

Funeral Information and condolences can be given at www.glueckertfuneralhome.com or call (847) 253-0168.