Shirley La Don Adams, 91, of New Lenox, IL formerly of Salem and Wood River, IL passed away March 14, 2021, in the presence of her children at The Cottages of New Lenox.
She was a member of Young’s Chapel Christian Church for many years.
Visiting hours will be Saturday, April 10, 2021, from 11:00 am until 12:45 pm at the Sutherland – Rankin Funeral Home in Salem. A graveside service will follow at 1:00 pm at the Paradise Cemetery in Salem. It is important to wear a mask and respect social distancing in accordance with the CDC and State of Illinois Phase 4 Revitalization guidelines. Masks will be made available by the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society and will be accepted by the Sutherland – Rankin Funeral Home, 310 N. Broadway, P.O. Box 97, Salem, Illinois 62881 (618) 548-1234 entrusted with the family’s care. Online condolences may be left for the family at sutherlandfuneralhome.com.
She was the daughter of Troy and Ella (Shanafelt) Featherling of Salem and sister to Jackie (Raver) of whom preceded her in death.
She married Harold Bookhout in 1950. That union produced three children. Jack Bookhout and wife Sandy of Nokomis, FL. Nancy Schuhardt and husband John of Shiloh, IL and Leigh Ann Bookhout-Kohne and husband John of Las Vegas, NV.
She was an accomplished secretary working many years at Marion County Courthouse in Salem with the American Tuberculosis Association before moving to Wood River, where she then began working for the Alton Mental Health Center. She continued that work at the Chester Mental Health Center, IL from where she retired.
While living in Wood River, she joined the Wood River Christian Church and was an active member there before moving to New Lenox.
In 1987, she married Joe Adams and the two traveled extensively together over several years. He also preceded her in death.
She is survived by five grandchildren, Jill, John, Heather (deceased), Christopher and Kyle. Seven great-grandchildren, Kylie, Weston, Emma, Taylor, Lexis, Serenity, and Divinity, along with four nieces and two nephews.
