Mrs. Shirley L. Schmidt, 93, of Galesburg, Illinois passed away peacefully at 9:35 pm Saturday, January 22, 2022 at ProMedica Health Care Center.
Shirley was born September 22, 1928 in Galesburg, the daughter of Herman and Lela (Purdy) Tracy. She married Vaughn Nelson. She later married William Schmidt. He preceded her in death in 2012.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Sue Nelson of Mesa, Arizona, Nancy Sturgeon of Galesburg, Pam Dugas of Bakersfield, California and Chuck (Julie) Nelson of Galesburg; two brothers, Clifford Tracy of Arkansas and Warren Tracy of Galesburg; nine grandchildren, Jason (Dana) Nelson, Jon (Tammy) Nelson, Mark (Alexanne) Sturgeon, Anders Nelson, Joel Nelson, Kevin Lane, Kristen (Jonathan) Camarena, Kaitlyn (Kevin) Marchiando and Kassidy Lane and twelve great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one daughter, Angela Lane, four brothers, Tom, Wendall, John and Oscar Tracy; four sisters, Delores Rodenhouser, Emogene Tracy, Helen Rouland Yeager and Lillian Russell and one grandchild, Jim Nelson.
Shirley graduated from Galesburg High School in 1946 where she was a part of the GHS Band. She worked as a bank teller for many years for Bank of America in Encino and Chatsworth, California. While living in California she would venture to the beach with her children frequently. Her greatest treasure was time spent with her children and later her grandchildren. Shirley enjoyed ballroom dancing, square dancing and playing cards with friends.
Funeral Services are scheduled for 10:00 am Thursday, January 27, 2022 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremations Services Galesburg Chapel. Rev. Dr. Pamela Marolla and Rev. Tim Anderson will officiate. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at the chapel. Due to guidelines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, facemasks will be required. Cremation will follow services with burial in Altona Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Lutheran Church or to the Porterville County Fair Grounds, 2700 Avenue 128, Porterville, California 93257. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com
