Shirley R Buehler

PEKIN ~ Shirley R. Buehler, 85, of 1615 Crescent Drive, passed away at 2:35 a.m. Monday, December 7, 2009 at Pekin Manor.Born January 4, 1924 in Pekin to William C. and Myrtle (Newburn) Robinson, she married Louis R. Buehler on August 18, 1951 in Pekin. He died May 1, 1979 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death her parents; one grandson, Troy E. West; one brother, William J. Robinson and two sisters, Garnet Waechter and Ruby Farischon.Surviving are one daughter, Sharon Lee (Michael) West of Pekin; one son, William G. Smathers of Florida; five grandchildren, Michael A. "Tony" (Sandy) West, Jason A. (Christy) West, Kara E. (Aaron) Stiles, Shelley (Ray) Skocaj and Heather (Kurt) Klingradt and twelve great-grandchildren, Aubri West, Michael West, Kaeli West, Dominic West, Madeline West, Gabrielle Stiles, Noah Stiles, Jerod Skocaj, Joshua Skocaj, Kendra Klingradt, Kyler Klingradt and Kohner Klingradt.Shirley was employed by the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad for 39 years, last working as a car accountant before retiring in February 1984. She was a member of the Railway Business Women and Brotherhood of Railway Clerks. An avid bowler, Shirley was a member of the Women's International Bowling Congress. She also was a charter member and formerly sang with the Pekin Sweet Adelines Barbershop Chorus.She was a lifelong member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin.Her funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 10, 2009at Preston-Hanley Funeral Home, Pekin Chapel. The Rev. Gary L. Ford will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Lakeview Cemetery in Pekin.The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 503 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.