On December 12, 2013, Shirlee Yonke went to be with her Lord; passing away peacefully at her home in Zion, IL.
Shirlee was an independent, energetic woman who fiercely loved her God, her family and her friends.
Through the years she worked for Zion Industries, Fansteel, Vascoly Ramet Corp., Great Lakes Eso, Heins Dept. Store and Zion Jr. High School. She was very active throughout her life; golfing, bowling, biking, and playing cards. For many years she walked two miles a day. Shirlee Aileen Bennett was born to Carl and Agnes ( Francour) Bennett on September 17, 1924. She loved and married Andrew John Yonke in 1942. They were together for 62 years.
She is survived by two children, seven grand-children and six great-grandchildren: her son, Kent (Sherry) Yonke of Wheaton IL, whose four boys: Jeremiah, Matthew (Julie w/ daughter Audra), Gabriel, and Christopher ( Kelly w/ daughter, Isabelle) reside in the Chicago area; her daughter, Rande (Steve) Mathers of Zion, IL) and three children, Joshua ( Natalie w/ girls Avery & Aubri) from Amarillo, Tx., Bree (Eric) Blazak (w/ son Spinnaker and daughter Eliza) from Canandaigua, NY, and their son, Zachary, from Orlando, Fl. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie (Alfred) Guy of Zion. She leaves behind two sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews who will remember her as the energizer bunny who just keeps going and going. Shirlee prayed tirelessly for family and friends, church and community every day. We will miss that and we will miss her.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 28th, 2013 in the Lloyd chapel at the southwest entrance of Christ Community Church, 2500 Dowie Memorial Drive, Zion, IL. Memorial gifts may be made to Camp Zion through the church.
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