Obituary of Shirley Ann Burkhardt
Shirley Ann Burkhardt, age 77, late of Oswego, and a longtime resident of Joliet, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2024 at The Pearl at the Tillers in Oswego.
Shirley was born on February 1, 1947, in Pontiac, IL, to Charles and Effie (Call) Hanlon, and was raised on the farm in Emington, IL where she attended grade school in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from Saunemin High School and pursued her nursing education in Bloomington, IL. Upon completing her studies, she worked at the William Fox Developmental Center in Dwight, IL. After raising her children, Shirley returned to the workforce at the Joliet Secretary of State DMV facility.
Shirley married Jim Burkhardt in 1968, and together they had four children: Jimmy, Corina, Nikki and Hope. She was also blessed with several grandchildren whom she adored. She loved gardening, family get-togethers, card games, backyard cookouts, trips to the farm, and any excuse to be with friends and family.
Shirley found great pleasure in simple pastimes, such as enjoying a Coca-Cola with a bowl of popcorn while playing card games, especially Rummy 500. She also loved board games, with Trivial Pursuit being a particular favorite. She played it so often that she had an unfair advantage, having memorized most of the answers.
Shirley loved a good story and passed her passion for reading and libraries on to her children and grandchildren. She found great joy in immersing herself in books.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 52 years, James Pierre Burkhardt (February 26, 2020); one daughter, Hope Elizabeth, in infancy; her parents; and one sister, Colleen.
Surviving are her loving children, James Burkhardt of Arizona, Corina (Michael) Thom of Yorkville, and Nicole “Nikki” Hess of Naperville; four grandchildren, Allison (Dan) Crussell, Cory (Jordan) Thom, Mia Hess and Charlie Hess; one brother, John (C.J.) Hanlon; two sisters, Mary Bhalla and Sherry Schmidt; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Shirley Burkhardt will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2024, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black Road, Joliet. Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday, at 12:30 p.m., at the Goodfarm Cemetery in rural Dwight, IL.
For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
