Obituary of Shirley I. Van Offelen

Shirley I. Van Offelen

Age 72, of Channahon, IL, passed away Tuesday, January 8, 2019, at Loyola University Medical Center’s Foster G. McGaw Hospital.  She was born June 12, 1946 to the late Marge (Zirkle) and Emil Eldred in Saginaw, MI.  Shirley was raised in the Highland Park, IL area and had resided in Channahon the past 30 years.

Beloved wife of 35 years to Henry Van Offelen; loving mother of Janet Tucker, the late James (Barbara) Shelton III, Lynette (Frank) Jobbe and Henry K. (Sara) Van Offelen; devoted grandmother of James (Alyssa) Shelton IV, Jeremy Fracaro (Anna Stevenson), Skylar, Rhiannon and Xander Tucker, Alex, Nicholas, Maxwell, Keith, Julia, Jackson, Sophia and Lillian Jobbe, Benjamin, Ethan, and Grace and Luther Van Offelen; and proud great grandmother of Jacob Shelton.  She will also be missed by her canine companion, Jake.

Shirley retired several years ago as a restaurant manager.  Her hobbies included sewing, gardening and traveling, especially in her younger years, across the states on the back of Henry’s Honda Goldwing.  She and Henry also enjoyed the winters in San Benito, TX, but nothing put an extra sparkle in Shirley’s eye than holding her great grandson Jacob and being around all her grandkids.

All friends and relatives are invited to gather Saturday, January 12, 2019, from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet, with reminiscing and sharing of memories starting at 5:00 p.m.  As it was Shirley’s request, cremation rites have been accorded.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Ronald McDonald House.  For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com