Joanne L Shire

Joanne Louise Shire, age 93, a resident of Covenant Living at Windsor Park in Carol Stream, IL, died on Nov 14, 2025. She was born on September 5, 1932 in DeKalb, IL, to Joseph and Anna (Adams) Kolkay.

Joanne grew up in Downers Grove, IL, where she met her husband, Earl Shire. They were married in 1951 and had two sons, Gerry and Randy. The family continued living in Downers Grove until they moved to Glen Ellyn in 1960. Joanne supervised the typing pool at Bell Labs in Naperville, IL, during the 1970's and 80's until she retired in 1988.

Joanne enjoyed playing the piano. For much of her life she played the piano at church services, Sunday School, singspirations, and the Christian Fellowship Band. She also accompanied choirs and many smaller singing groups that included a family quintet. Joanne enjoyed traveling with her husband. They went on trips to Hawaii and the Holy Land, took cruises to the Caribbean and Mexico, and traveled around the country in their motor home.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Kolkay, her husband, Earl Shire, and her daughter-in-law, Carol Shire.

Joanne is survived by her children, Gerry (Wendy) Shire and Randy Shire, her grandchildren, Amanda (Dan) Fograse, Emily (Patrick) Eversole, and Allison Shire, and her great-grandson, Jack Fograse.

A service will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL, on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. A private interment service will be held at Clarendon Hills Cemetery.