Shirley Jean Marsh

She was born on September 22, 1926 in Peoria, IL to Richard and Iva (Lynn) Emmons. She was the 7th of 9 children. On New Year’s Day, 1947 she married Russell Marsh in her mother’s home in Peoria.

During her teens and early 20’s, Shirley was a model for fur coats and excelled at ballroom dancing. Among other interest were flower gardening, crocheting, murder mysteries and being in the company of babies. She was extremely devoted to her family.

She worked as the first cafeteria manager for Norwood Grade School. She later managed the domestics department of Bergner’s in Madison Park. She started that job on the very day the store opened for business and retired on the day the store closed their business. Soon after, she began volunteering at Bel-wood Nursing Home in the Activity Dept. She volunteered there for just over 10 years, attaining membership in the 10,000 hour club.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Russell, in 1971. She was also preceded in death by her 7-year-old daughter, Sherry Lynn Marsh; her parents; six brothers and one sister. She is survived by her four children, Russell (Linda) Marsh of Mapleton, IL, Cindy L. Marsh of Peoria, IL, R. Jake (Julie) Marsh of Brimfield, IL and Penny L. Marsh of Bartonville. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Christopher (Heather), Kimberly, D. Zachary (Maggie), Skyler, Karly (Tony), and Jordan (Jacob); her great-grandchildren, Sara, Madison, Blake, Brett and Jalynn; and her special grand-dog, Oliver. She is also survived by her sister, Joann (David) Skaggs of East Peoria, IL and her sister-in-law, Patricia Emmons of Pekin, IL.

Having lived on Dempster Lane in Peoria for 60 years, she considered the neighbors of this close knit neighborhood to be a second family.

A special thank you is sent to the caring and compassionate staff of Heddington Oaks D2 Wing as well as Bel-Wood Nursing Home.

It was Shirley’s request to be cremated and the burial of ashes will be at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria. Services will be held on Monday, November 10, 2014 at 7pm at Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria with visitation beginning at 5pm. Rev. Dr. Forrest Krummel will officiate. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.