Shirley Ellen Gilbert, 85, of Bonnie, Illinois, passed away on December 24, 2022, at Mt. Vernon Countryside Manor. She was born November 1, 1937, in Waltonville, Illinois to the late Orval and Annabel (Braden) Fairchild. Shirley married Jerry Gilbert on November 9, 1956. They have been blessed with sixty-six years of marriage.
In addition to her husband, Shirley is survived by her daughters, Pam Kash and husband, Barry of Sesser, Illinois, Angela Neibel and husband, Mark of Tuscon, Arizona; son, Jeff Gilbert and wife, Paula of Covington, Tennessee; sister, Nina Faye Ratajczyk of Tamaroa, Illinois; grandchildren, Ashley Price, Aaron Gilbert, Brett Neibel, Daniel Kash, Justin Gilbert, Megan Cannon, Alton Gilbert, and Mark Gilbert, and great-grandchildren, Jordan Price, Harper Price, Stevie Kash, Quincy Cannon, Grant Gilbert, Marlow Cannon, Emery Neibel, Krue Kash, Wrenley Cannon, and Owen Moon.
In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by siblings, Bobby G. Fairchild, Ron Fairchild, Irene Beckham, Barbara Dixon, Anna Marie Darrough, Meda Beckham, Sheryl Wilderman, Lowell Thomas Fairchild, and Alden Fairchild.
Shirley was a member of Waltonville Free Will Baptist Church. She worked at the Mammoth Department Store in Mount Vernon for several years. Shirley was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother and will be dearly missed.
A Visitation will be held Friday, December 30, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, Illinois. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, December 31, 2022, at 11:00 am at Newell Funeral Home in Waltonville, Illinois with Reverend Mark Wells officiating. Interment will follow at Knob Prairie Cemetery in Waltonville, Illinois. Memorials may be made in Shirley’s honor to Waltonville Free Will Baptist Church.
Call Newell Funeral Home at 618-279-7272 or visit newellfuneralhome.com for further information.
