Shirley Ann VanDyke, 82, of Hord, Illinois, passed away on Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Burge House in Flora.
Funeral services celebrating Shirley's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 21, 2018, at Frank and Bright Funeral Home in Flora, Illinois. Burial will follow at Old Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Clay County 4-H.
Shirley was born December 11, 1935, in Garden Hill Township, Wayne County, the daughter of Garvin Url and Zelma Blanche (Fatheree) Rush. She married George H. VanDyke on April 27, 1958, at the Hord Congregational Christian Church, and together they have shared 60 wonderful years of marriage.
Shirley was a member of Hord Congregational Christian Church. Shirley enjoyed a five-decade career working with the public in various positions at: JC Penney, Wabash Telephone, Clay County Clerk’s Office, and U of I Extension. She was a vibrant lady who was always dressed to the nines. Shirley loved going shopping especially with her grandchildren, attending auctions, collecting antiques, working in the yard, and Home Extension activities. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with family, especially her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband: George H. VanDyke of Hord; 2 sons: Terry (Kathy Okerman) VanDyke of Effingham and Tim (Lori) VanDyke of Hord; 4 grandchildren: Michelle (Kevin) Buenker of Teutopolis, Hillary (Kevin) Halsey of Tamaroa, Mindi (Tim) Knebel of Vandalia, and Heath VanDyke of Braidwood; 3 great-grandchildren: Ayden Buenker, Kaleb Buenker, and Blake Knebel; 3 special nieces: Kathy Richardson, Debbie Howe, and Mary Ann Pittman; and several other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother: Jesse Rush; and a sister: Norma Jean Thompson.