Shirl P. Best

Shirl Paul Best was born April 13, 1921, one of six children born to Oscar and Esther (Brinker) Best. Became member of Calvary Evangelical church at Davis, Ill., October 14, 1934. He graduated from Durand Community High School, Class of 1939. Like many families, the Bests sent more than one son off to war. While Shirl was in San Marcos, two of his brothers were serving in the army. Nevin was stationed in England and Lowell was in the Pacific War Zone. His cousin Peter was stationed in Alaska. Shirl joined the Air Force in October 1942. He went to aviation school in Cedar Rapids Iowa, graduated from pre-flight training school in Santa Ana, California, then transferred to San Marcos, Texas, for advanced navigation school. He graduated July 31, 1944 as a Flight Officer and navigator, receiving silver wings. While in San Marcos, Shirl married Mary E. Van Etten, who was from Davis, in a military ceremony on July 1, 1944. He graduated from navigation school on July 31st and was granted leave until August 18th. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 303rd Bombardment Group (H) "Hell's Angels", 427th Bombardment Squadron and was stationed at Molesworth Air base in England. He flew 14 missions as a Navigator in a B-17G. Notably, one of their missions supported the Battle of the Bulge. On February 9, 1945 while on a mission to Lutzkendorf, Germany the plane Shirl was in was contacted by the Poque Ma Hone and the rear part of the fuselage - from the waist window back – was torn. Flak had disabled one engine on the Poque Ma Hone causing it to plow into Shirl's plane. Just before Shirl's plane would have crashed into Eisenburg, Germany, killing hundreds of people with its intact armed bomb load, they managed to level the B-17 and dropped their bombs on a field outside the village. The aircraft then crashed and exploded in a wooden area. At this time previously deceased by parents, Oscar L. and Esther Best, wife Mary Best, Siblings and Spouses. O. Sheldon (Genevieve) Best, Retta Hatton (Kenneth) Prell, Leone (Murray) Deckard, Lowell (Delores) Best, Nevin Best, and two nephews, Ronald Best and Robert Deckard. Survived by sister-in-law Marge Best, nieces and nephews, Deanna Best Ralston, Virginia Best Bender, Jerry Hatton, Royce Hatton, Harlan Hatton, Carrie Prell Thorne, Lettie Prell, Joyce Deckard Anderson, Linda Deckard Darden, Dennis Deckard, Luanne Deckard Siliamaa, Jean Best Cash and their spouses and their children and grandchildren. A funeral ceremony will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 8, 2025 at Durand School, 200 W. South Street, Durand, IL with a visitation being held from 10:30 a.m. until time of Ceremony, Saturday. Burial to be in Durand Township Cemetery, Durand, IL. In lieu of flowers please make donations in his honor either to the Durand Gold Star American Legion or the Durand High School.