Shirley Burns

Shirley J. Burns, 85, of East Moline, Illinois, died Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Hope Creek Care Center, East Moline.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 2, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home at Trimble Pointe, 701 12th Street, Moline.  Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery.  Visitation is 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday.  Memorials may be made to the family for a fund to be established in Shirley’s memory.

The former Shirley Joeann Piper was born February 19, 1938, in Moline, the daughter of Theodore Russell and Frankie Mildred (Hannah) Piper.  She graduated from Rock Island High School and married the love of her life, James Peter Burns, on September 24, 1966, in Rock Island.   He died June 25, 2003.

Shirley worked as an obstetrical technician for several years at both Lutheran Hospital and Moline Public Hospital.  She later spent 13 years taking night calls for Sani Pro Janitorial.   

She was a former member of 1st Baptist Church, Rock Island.  She was very active in her younger years in Rainbow Girls, during which time she moved through the chairs.  She liked to eat out with family and friends, and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears’ fan.  Above all else, family was the most important thing to Shirley, especially her daughter, granddaughters and great-granddaughters.

Shirley is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Jim Simmons of East Moline; two granddaughters, Ashley (Dakota) Klein of Moline, and Bailey (Nicholas) Bramhall of Moline; two great-granddaughters, Lilyana Klein and Kinsley Bramhall; and sisters-in-law, Judy Piper of Silvis, and Pat DeBacker of Moline.  She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; and brother, Jerome “Jerry” Piper.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.