Shirley May Eisfeller

Shirley M. Eisfeller, age 78, of Rockton, Illinois, previously of Chadwick went to her eternal home on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at Highview in the Woodlands, Rockton. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 9, 2011 at the United Church of Byron, Byron, Illinois. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. at the Church. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mt. Carroll. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be sent to the United Church of Byron or the Byron Civic Theatre.
Shirley May was born May 26, 1932 in Freeport, the daughter of William H. and Maude Marie (Graham) Beattie. Shirley grew up in Lanark where she and her family were members of the First Brethren Church. She served as an organist, choir director, and Sunday school teacher to the 6 yr. olds while a member there. Shirley graduated with honors from Lanark High School and participated in state music competitions, speech contests, and the school’s choral activities. After graduation, Shirley worked at Watt Publishing Co. in Mt. Morris. Later she began her banking career at the Mt. Carroll National Bank. While there, she met and married Donald Eisfeller on February 20, 1955 at the First Brethren Church of Lanark.
They made their home in Chadwick where they both worked at the Farmer’s State Bank for many years and were members of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. Later, Shirley worked at the National Bank of Savanna and, after moving to Lake Summerset, at the Durand State Bank. After her beloved husband Don’s passing, Shirley moved to Byron where she joined The United Church of Byron and made many dear friends in her neighborhood, Church, and the community. She actively followed and attended her grandson’s sporting and theatre events and was so proud of them. Shirley loved her family with all of her heart and soul and they loved her with equal devotion.
Shirley is survived by her son, Jim (Deb) Eisfeller of Byron; her daughter, Sharie (James) Nelson of Leaf River; two grandsons, Justin Eisfeller of Fort Meyers, FL and Trent Eisfeller of Chicago; two step-grandchildren, James Nelson of Rockford and Jacqueline Nelson of Las Vegas, NV; three sisters in-law, Evelyn and Edna Beattie of Lanark and Eleanor Eisfeller of Mt. Carroll; life-long friends, Wilma and Kenneth Freeman of Mt. Carroll; several cousins; and many nieces and nephews. Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Donald; both parents; and three brothers, William G., Edward E. and Gerald E. Beattie.