Shirley J. Rex, of Clarinda, IA, formerly of Troy, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Clarinda Regional Health Center, Clarinda. She celebrated her 95th birthday with Jesus Christ as she entered into eternal life in heaven.
Funeral service for Shirley will be held 11 a.m. Friday, January 10, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church, Clarinda with Pastor Mitchel Schuessler officiating. There will be a public visitation one hour prior to the service. Internment will be at 1 p.m. Monday, January 13, 2025, at Camp Butler, Springfield, IL.
Shirley Jeanne (Batastini) Rex was born to Louis and Georgena (Steele) Batastini on Sunday, January 5, 1930, in Chicago, IL. She was united with her Savior in Holy Baptism on February 9, 1930, at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL.
Shirley was united in marriage to Norman H. Rex on July 8, 1950, in Harvey, IL. He preceded her in death on December 1, 1999. They were blessed with 5 daughters: Susan (Gene) Wilson, Oconomowoc, WI; Pam (Tim) Wallace, Smyrna, TN; Claudia (Jim) Converse, Cottonwood, AZ; Penny (Rev. Dr. Mitchel) Schuessler, Clarinda, IA; and Stacie (Brenden) Daley, Chicago, IL.
They also were blessed with 9 grandchildren: Todd (Amber) Wallace, Dickson, TN; Sarah (Adrian) Guerra, Palm Springs, FL; Jule Smith, Fairfax, VA; April (Oscar) Bedolla, Mount Juliet, TN; Brad Lee Converse, Orlanda, FL; Rachael (Brandon) Beckemeyer, Collinsville, IL; Matthew (Chelsey) Schuessler, Columbus, NE; Maeve Daley, Chicago, IL; and Sofia Daley, Chicago, IL. They have 9 great grandchildren with another little nugget on the way in August.
Shirley and Norman were in the United States Air Force, when he retired as a Major after 20 years. During this time besides the tours stateside, they lived in Pakistan and Libya. They moved to Decatur, IL in 1968, when he retired out of Rantoul, IL.
Shirley was a homemaker, raising her children in the love of Christ, a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Decatur, IL where she served as a member of Altar Guild and an active member of the Dorcas Society. Following the death of Norman, Shirley moved to be closer to her daughter Penny and Rev. Mitchel in Altamont, IL, and Troy, IL, before she settled in Clarinda in 2021.
Shirley lived according to her faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, enjoying her times of worship and an active devotional life. She was a part of the Touch of Love Breakfast group at St. John, Clarinda. Shirley did crossword puzzles in pen, was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved her family and looked forward to spending eternity with them in heaven.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Norman, in 1999; her parents, her sister, Jackie Lapinskas; brother-in-law Vito Lapinskas; son-in-law Dr. Richard Smith; and several nephews.
