Shirley P. Rohwer, 81, of Naplate, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 23, 2021 at her home surrounded by her loving family.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday July 27 at Seals-Campbell Funeral Home and one hour prior to funeral services Wednesday at the church. Funeral services will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, July 28, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. David Daniel officiating. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery in Marseilles.
She was born November 18, 1939, in Peoria, to John and Emma (Hammerich) Johnson. On April 20, 1958 she married William Rohwer who preceded her in death in 2017.
Shirley’s family moved to Marseilles in 1942, where her father worked in the shipyards. She attended Marseilles schools, graduating from Marseilles High School in 1957. She and her family attended Trinity Lutheran Church, and this is where she met her future husband, William. After the couple married, Shirley remained at home until her youngest went to school. She entered the workforce at Milton Pope School as a part-time cook in 1972, then became Cafeteria Manager until 1997, and finally retired after twenty-six years. She served from the first window and was lovingly known as “Shirley Mom” by many. In retirement, Shirley and Bill owned and operated Gramma’s Attic in Ottawa, until it’s closure in 2016. She was an avid reader, meticulous gardener, and loved her family. Shirley was strong, resilient and a bit feisty – and maintained her dry wit and strong sense of humor until the very end. She was well known for saying “it is what it is” with a wry smile.
Survivors include her children, Shawn (Marty) Schmitke of Marseilles, Mark (Courtney Robinson) of Princeton, Mike of Marseilles, Patty (Bill) Hennessey of Utica, and Dawn (Bob) Evans of Roselle; seven grandchildren, Rachel (Bill) Mason, Jason (Nichole) Rohwer, Erica (Jordan) Roetker, Jordan, Jackie, and Josh Schmitke, and Emily Evans; eight great-grandchildren, Hannah, Grady, Rebecca, Allison, Emma, Jakob, Mackenzie, and Elliott; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Bill; one sister, Marguerite Kepler; and three brothers, Albert, Harvey, and Melvin.
Seals-Campbell Funeral Home
1009 E. Bluff St., Marseilles, IL 61341
815-795-5151 www.sealscampbell.com