Shirley Ann Stockham

Shirley was born Sept 11, 1938 to John Montle and Mary Ghelardini-Montle. They gifted her a childhood bound with love, family traditions and memories that were still making her smile in her final years. Because she was Johnny’s daughter, she was a life-long and faithful Chicago Cub fan. Because she was Mary’s daughter she learned the recipes and traditions of her Italian heritage including feeding the ones you love. Shirley was blessed to have sister, Jean Montle-Ecenbarger, now deceased, and a surviving brother, Tony (Lynn) Montle. Shirley was raised in Peoria’s South Side, a 1956 graduate of Manual Training High School.

After high school, Shirley married Howard Boers, Jr. while he was completing his service in the Marine Corps. She made a home wherever he was assigned, from Lani Kai, Hawaii to Jacksonville, NC. They eventually settled in Bartonville, IL where they would raise their five children. Until his death in 1991, Shirley and Howie built a life together around their family. Through the years, as their children grew and started their own families, they held their family together with Sunday dinners, family cookouts, sleepovers with the grandkids and holiday magic.

After retiring as an executive secretary from Keystone Steel and Wire, Shirley married William Stockham, Jr. Before preceding her in death, Shirley and Bill traveled the world together and were generous with their love and time with family.

Shirley was also preceded in death by her beautiful and cherished daughter, Merri Christi “Chris” Boers-Trunk. There was not a day our Mom did not mourn or miss her. We can only imagine their heavenly reunion. Shirley was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Christina Marie Boers, and a great-grandson, Samuel Howard Roesler.

Shirley’s stories and lessons, her memories and love, will now live on through her surviving children: Linda (Doug) Nevitt, Catherine (Larry) Thomason Jr., Howard “Chip” Boers III, and Robert Boers.

Shirley is also survived by ten grandchildren: Angela (Jarrett) Meyer, Matthew (Megan) Nevitt, Tiereny Minassian, Tanner Trunk, Alicia (Chris) Urban, Katie (Charlie) Heinzmann, Amy Thomason, Aubrey (Chayla) Fowler, Cameron Boers and Ryan Boers, all of whom know the love of a Nonna who was always there for them and who assured them through her words and actions she always “loved them bigger.”

Shirley was also blessed with 17 great-grandchildren: Jaydan, Jackson, Nora, Lux, Everly, Braylen, Madalyn, Brynn, Cal, Alexis, Gabe, Keira, Ezra, Dax, Beckam, Tavyn, Brigam, and one great-great grandson, Bentley.

Shirley’s love will live on through her family and the generations she leaves behind. Loved ones who preceded her in death have now welcomed her home within a circle of eternal love. It will be from that place of eternal love that Shirley, our Mom, our Nonna, will now watch over all of us and truly love us bigger.

Special thanks to the exceptional staff at Proctor Place Shepherd's Way Health Care Center for covering our Mom with their compassionate and devoted care in the final months of her life. We are so grateful.

Private family services will be held at a later date.