Shirley M. Ross

Shirley M. Ross, of Preston, IA, formerly of Bellevue, passed away on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Shirley was born on November 19, 1943, on the family farm outside of Stockton, IL, to Ferdinand and Mary (Gerlich) Ross. The Ross family moved to Bellevue, IA, where Shirley attended school and graduated from 8th grade.

As a young girl, Shirley was a trusted babysitter for many neighborhood families, creating strong bonds with the children she cared for. Her kindness extended to her nieces and nephews, who cherish fond memories of summer visits with their beloved aunt, watching barges drift by, taking them swimming or the local dime store and enjoying the Fourth of July fireworks together in Bellevue. Known for always wanting to help others, Shirley found joy in volunteering at Mill Valley Care Center in Bellevue, where she assisted with bingo and other activities.

Later in life, she moved to Preston with her mother. A true social butterfly, Shirley had an infectious personality and never met a stranger. She enjoyed daily walks around Preston, greeting everyone she encountered with a smile and a friendly chat. Her presence in the community was unmistakable, and she was loved by all who knew her. Shirley also found great joy in playing bingo at Pearson Hall in Maquoketa, where her cheerful demeanor lit up the room.

Shirley’s greatest passion was her love for Elvis Presley. She filled her life with his music, and it brought her immense happiness. Her devotion to Elvis was well-known by her family and friends and she loved to collect anything Elvis related.

Shirley will be dearly missed by her four siblings, Joan Sullivan of Maquoketa, IA, Richard (Betty) Ross of Abingdon, IL, Nancy (Aaron) Smith of Camanche, IA, and Alice (Edward) Feller of Preston; many nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews; and many friends. Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Ferdinand and Mary; her brother-in-law, Lester Sullivan; and two nephews, Gary Sullivan and Ray Feller.

Funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Preston. Visitation will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the Church. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery in Bellevue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Ambulance of Preston/Miles or the American Cancer Society. Shirley's last caring gesture was that she donated her eyes to Iowa Lions Eye Bank through the Iowa Donor Network.