Sheila Joyce Bartlett

Born in Peoria, Illinois, to George and Marietta (Bales) Stuart, Sheila lived a life anchored in faith, family, and simple joys. She was the picture of warmth and compassion - a woman who always had room for one more hug, one more story and always a “toodles” under the chin at the door as you were driving away.

Sheila married the love of her life John Joseph Bartlett on January 15, 1968, (he preceded her in death) and together they built a life filled with love, laughter and the quiet strength of a lasting partnership. Sheila was a devoted mother blessed with one son, John Bartlett Jr. (he preceded her in death), and one daughter Sherrie. Her role as “MaMa,” “Gran,” “Grandma,” and “GeeGee” brought her immense pride and happiness, as she delighted in the lives of her granddaughters and her cherished great grandchildren who always knew GeeGee had a stash of peanut butter cups.

Sheila found joy in life’s little blessings, her favorite thing to do was spend time with her family. She immensely enjoyed cooking meals for her family and spending quality time around the dinner table sharing each other’s day. In her younger years, Sheila was an avid league bowler, enjoyed camping nearly every weekend during spring, summer, and fall, crocheting warm gifts and even basketball nets for indoor sponge ball fun, and she especially enjoyed the quiet escape of a good book. A proud plant lover with a gift for bringing even the most sad looking plant back to life with time and attention, John built Sheila a sunroom just for her “babies,” each leaf and bloom nurtured with the care of a mother’s touch.

Sheila attended Manual High School in Peoria, IL graduating in 1966 and was regularly involved with a wonderful group of friends from the Class of 1966. Before retiring after 15 years of service on November 30, 2012, Sheila enjoyed her position as receptionist at Brewer’s Distributing in Peoria, IL, where she had fond memories of all of her co-workers.

Her belief in God and country shaped her values and actions, and her unwavering devotion to both was a guiding light for her loved ones. But above all, her family was her everything - the true heartbeat of her life.

Sheila leaves behind a legacy of love, kindness, and devotion that will echo through generations. She will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish her memory include her daughter, Sherrie (Matthew) Behnke; granddaughters, Brittney (Eli) Stallworth, of Peoria, IL, Courtney Thompson of Delavan, IL, Jenna Behnke of Peoria, and Peyton Behnke of Peoria Heights; great grandchildren, Cassidy, Otto, and Penelope; one brother, George Stuart; one sister, Brenda Bennett of Edelstein; many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel on Monday, July 7, 2025 at 2:00pm, with Pastor Steve Barch to officiate. The family will receive friends from 12:30pm until service time. Burial will follow at Swan Lake Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Alzheimer's Association or St. Jude.