Shirley Ann Blankenship

Shirley Ann Blankenship, 61, of Glenarm, died at 9:21 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at St. John's Hospital. Shirley was born October 9, 1951, the daughter of Robert and Joan Best. She married Michael Blankenship on May 16, 1970 at St. Patrick Cathedral, Springfield. Shirley was a graduate of Southeast High School. Shirley worked as a secretary at Chatham Elementary School for 20 years. She then worked at the Sangamon County Regional Planning Commission where she retired in 2010. She served as a volunteer secretary and chronicled the saints for St. Joseph the Worker Church for a number of years. Shirley was well known for her great cooking, especially her german chocolate cake, cookies, meat loaf and a variety of other things. She also loved scrapbooking. She is preceded in death by her mother, Joan Best. She is survived by her husband, Michael Blankenship of Glenarm; four sons, Michael Blankenship, Jr. of Orlando, FL, Mark Blankenship of Springfield, Matt Blankenship (wife, Kristin) of Gulf Shores, AL, and Micky Blankenship of Glenarm; three grandchildren, Ava, Jaxson and Kayle Blankenship; father, Robert Best; four brothers, Bob (wife, Kathi) Best of Rochester, Gene (wife, Debbie) Best, Gary Best, Greg (wife, Renee) Best, all of Springfield, and one sister, Brenda Best of Chatham. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 10, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th Street, Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held from 9:00-9:45 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church. Funeral Mass: 10:00 a.m. on Monday, February 11, 2013 at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, 700 E. Spruce St., Chatham, with Fr. John Nolan, celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Catholic Charities of Springfield, 120 S. 11th St., Springfield, IL 62703.