Born March 29, 1933 in Jacksonville to Willis H. and Wilma P. (Burrus) Thrasher, she married Robert Gene Blair on October 4, 1952 in Jacksonville. He survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Diana (Mike) Harvey, Janis (Scott) Elmore and Linda (Randy) Bowen, all of Pekin; ten grandchildren, Andrew (Johnna Billingsley) Harvey, Nicholas (Allison) Harvey, Caitlyn (Cole) Radford, Tyler (Jen) Harvey, Aleigh (Matt) Stauffer, Ivy (Matt) Grashoff, Erin (Brian) Goudie, Corey (Nikki) Elmore, Stephanie (Sean Ray) Holmes and Matthew (Amanda) Holmes; one step-grandchild, Ashley (Jake) Schneider; fifteen great-grandchildren, Keller Gardner, Max Harvey, Anna Harvey, Casey (Rushmi) Stauffer, Jesse (Miranda) Stauffer, Carli (Conner) Lidiak, Jae Grashoff, Brady Grashoff, Emma Grashoff, Ryder Shaw, Macy Shaw, Jackson Elmore, Brody Elmore, Evy Elmore and Dani Jo Brown; six step-great-grandchildren, Kiley Howard, Giana Goudie, Garin Goudie, Avery Schneider, Isaac Schneider, Cole Schneider, Tyler (Felecia) Billingsley and four great-great-grandchildren, Micah Stauffer, Laila Stauffer, Liam Stauffer and Wyatt Billingsley.
Her parents preceded her in death.
Shirley was a graduate of Virginia High School and had attended Illinois College in Jacksonville.
She worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for 16 years in Wage and Salary Administration and retired in 1990.
She was a former member of First Christian Church in Pekin and attended Northwoods Community Church in Peoria.
Shirley was passionate about spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed traveling and shopping.
No services or visitation are planned. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tazewell Animal Protective Society, 100 Taps Lane, Pekin, IL 61554.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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