Shirley R. Perley

PEORIA—Shirley R. Perley, 81, of Peoria, passed away at 8:35 a.m., Sunday, May 12, 2013 at OSF Richard Owens Hospice Home in Peoria. Shirley was born on April 17, 1932 in Springfield, Illinois, the daughter of Ernest J. and Ruth E. Johnson Seppelt. She married Dr. Leon "Bud" Perley on December 30, 1951 in Dunlap, Illinois. She is survived by "Bud", her husband of 61 years; her children, Steven S. Perley of Kentucky and Jane (and her fiancé, Jeff Massey) Perley Cannon of Peoria; three grand children and two great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother; one great-grandson, Zaedon Houseman in 2006 and two nephews. Shirley graduated from Bradley University in 1971 with a Bachelors of Science in Education. She last worked for the Peoria Heights School District for 23 years at Kelley Grade School, retiring in 1994. Prior to working as an elementary school teacher she was a legal secretary for the law firm, Vespa & Ball from 1956 to 1959. She was a member of First Federated Church in Peoria and a member of the Kings Daughters. Her life was devoted to her family. Funeral services will be at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 16, 2013 at the Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. Chaplain Mary Jane West will be officiating. Visitation will be two hours prior to services at the mortuary. Burial will be in Mt. Hawley Cemetery in Peoria. Memorials may be made to the Leon Perley Scholarship Fund at Illinois Central College.