Shirley Kelley

ST. JOSEPH - Shirley Alberta (Anderson) Kelley of St. Joseph, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully on Sunday (Oct. 26, 2025) at the remarkable age of 96.

Shirley was born Aug. 19, 1929, in Homer, one of eight children of Edgar and Nellie Mae Anderson. She graduated from Illinois Commercial College in Champaign on April 3, 1955. She married Donald Lou Kelley, and they were married for 54 years until Don's passing in 2009. The couple had four sons: Michael (and Becky) Kelley of St. Joseph, Kevin (and Connie) Kelley of Sarasota, Fla., Tim (and Kathy) Kelley of Leland, N.C., and Kerry (and Wynne) Kelley of Bolingbrook. She was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren and great-grandmother of six great-grandchildren. She has one remaining sibling, Donald Anderson (Gayle) of Las Vegas.

Shirley worked as a secretary in a law office for several years and later as a secretary for Urbana Public School District 116 for over 20 years. She was a dedicated mother and source of unending love and strength for her sons. She enjoyed putting together complex jigsaw puzzles and Sudoku. She enjoyed Urbana HIgh School sports and was an avid Illini basketball and football fan. She will be deeply missed and forever cherished.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and six siblings.

Graveside services will be held at Grandview Memorial Gardens, 4112 W. Bloomington Road, Champaign, IL 61822, at 11 a.m.

Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand Ave., St. Joseph, is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at freesefh.com.