Shirley Merkel Obituary
Shirley Marie (Abbott) Merkel, age 95, formerly of 903 Country Club Dr., Quincy, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 11:32 am at the Arbors / Adams Pointe.
Shirley was born October 2, 1926, in Quincy, the daughter of W. Earl and Erma E. (Haxel) Abbott. She loved dancing and with her sister, Mary, performed and tap danced throughout Adams County. Shirley graduated from Quincy High School in 1945 where she was head cheerleader. She met the love of her life, Russell C. Merkel, in 7th grade and had their first date in 9th grade. They married on June 12, 1948, in St. John's Catholic Church and were longtime members of St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Shirley worked on many community committees. She was a member of the Quincy Country Club and the Elks Club. She was a friend to everyone and never knew a stranger. Her family was her greatest enjoyment but also loved fishing, boating, golf, bowling, gardening singing, dancing and mushroom hunting with her brother, Kenneth.
Survivors include her children, Russell "Rusty" (Penny Kipley) Merkel of Pagosa Springs, CO, Mary (Larry) Rollins of Friendswood, TX, and Salli (Scott) Kuncewicz of Quincy; six grandchildren, Shelly (Chris) Lewis, Daniel Merkel, Ryan (Michelle) Schnack, Christopher (Maegil) Schnack, Natalie (George, Jr. Castillo) Rollins, Lance (Emily) Rollins; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way in January; two step-grandchildren, Michelle (Scott) Atteberry and Deanna Leffers, a sister-in-law, Sue Merkel and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Russ, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law, Pamela Merkel, a great grandson, Jackson Lewis, a step-granddaughter, Kimberly Smith, two brothers, William (Beatrice) and Kenneth (Bernice) Abbott, two sisters, Mary (Marvin) Goessling and Joann (Jerry) Reynolds, and a brother-in-law, John E. Merkel.
Visitation: 1:30 to 3:00 pm on Saturday August 13, 2022, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Services: 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of the donor's choice. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are handling the arrangements.
Shirley was born October 2, 1926, in Quincy, the daughter of W. Earl and Erma E. (Haxel) Abbott. She loved dancing and with her sister, Mary, performed and tap danced throughout Adams County. Shirley graduated from Quincy High School in 1945 where she was head cheerleader. She met the love of her life, Russell C. Merkel, in 7th grade and had their first date in 9th grade. They married on June 12, 1948, in St. John's Catholic Church and were longtime members of St. Peter's Catholic Church.
Shirley worked on many community committees. She was a member of the Quincy Country Club and the Elks Club. She was a friend to everyone and never knew a stranger. Her family was her greatest enjoyment but also loved fishing, boating, golf, bowling, gardening singing, dancing and mushroom hunting with her brother, Kenneth.
Survivors include her children, Russell "Rusty" (Penny Kipley) Merkel of Pagosa Springs, CO, Mary (Larry) Rollins of Friendswood, TX, and Salli (Scott) Kuncewicz of Quincy; six grandchildren, Shelly (Chris) Lewis, Daniel Merkel, Ryan (Michelle) Schnack, Christopher (Maegil) Schnack, Natalie (George, Jr. Castillo) Rollins, Lance (Emily) Rollins; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way in January; two step-grandchildren, Michelle (Scott) Atteberry and Deanna Leffers, a sister-in-law, Sue Merkel and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, Russ, Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter-in-law, Pamela Merkel, a great grandson, Jackson Lewis, a step-granddaughter, Kimberly Smith, two brothers, William (Beatrice) and Kenneth (Bernice) Abbott, two sisters, Mary (Marvin) Goessling and Joann (Jerry) Reynolds, and a brother-in-law, John E. Merkel.
Visitation: 1:30 to 3:00 pm on Saturday August 13, 2022, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Services: 3:00 pm on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of the donor's choice. Memorial Donations may be made online at https://memorials.hansenspear.com
www.hansenspear.com
Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are handling the arrangements.
To share a memory or send a condolence gift, please visit the Official Obituary of Shirley Merkel hosted by Hansen-Spear Funeral Home.
Events
Event information can be found on the Official Obituary of Shirley Merkel.