Shirley D. Simmering (83) of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Decatur

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Published on May 29 2020 7:58 am

Shirley D. Simmering, 83, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Decatur, IL, passed away on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at home.

Shirley Delores (Armstrong) Simmering was born on December 12, 1936, in Brunswick, IL, the daughter of Cecil and Daisy Armstrong. She graduated from La Jara High School in Colorado. Shirley and James Frederick Simmering were united in holy matrimony on August 25, 1956 and celebrated 49 years of marriage before his passing on September 19, 2005. Shirley wanted to be a nurse but chose instead to focus on raising a family. While living in Decatur, IL she was a seamstress at Sessel’s Men’s Clothing Store before working as the Bookkeeper for McKeever Communications.

Shirley was fiercely competitive and shelved many trophies in bowling, archery, and golf. Her true love was golf, as she continued to play into her 80’s. She scored 12 holes-in-one in her lifetime and recently came within an inch of achieving her 13th hole-in-one. She won the 18-hole Ladies Club Championship in 2008 at Sunland Village East Golf Club and several other tournaments.

She also enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing. Her other hobbies included traveling with friends, putting together 1000-piece jigsaw puzzles, especially if it had a deer in the picture, reading and painting rocks to share in the world-wide Kindness Rocks Project.  Shirley was a loving wife and mother, a sweet friend and always put others before herself. She was gifted with laughter and joy; and offered acceptance and unconditional love to all those who crossed her path. She was truly a great woman and will be deeply missed.

She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Kay (husband Stanley) Potts of Clinton, IL; son, Thomas Dean (wife, Dana) Simmering of Boonville, IN; granddaughter, Sydney LeAnn Simmering of Boonville, IN; two step-grandsons; twin brother, Sherman Armstrong of Mesa, AZ; brother, Junior Armstrong of White Rock, NM; and brother, Francis Armstrong of Colorado Springs, CO who preceded her in death.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a private family visitation will be held at Lockart-Green Funeral Home in Findlay, IL followed by a private family graveside service at the Findlay Cemetery with Pastor Mark Sanders officiating on Sunday, May 31, 2020.

Family and friends are invited to light a candle or share a story in Shirley’s honor by clicking here.