Shirley Lee (Bowles) Trumpet, age 71, of Swansea, Illinois, born on June 4, 1954 in St. Louis, MO, died Wednesday April 22, 2026, with friends and family by her side.
Shirley grew up in Cahokia and was a proud graduate of Cahokia High School. After graduation, Shirley began her career as a key punch operator at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. It was there she met her beloved husband, Donald Trumpet. They originally settled in Shiloh, IL and then moved to Red Bud, IL with their children to live with their in-laws, George and Mildred Trumpet. Shirley and Donald built their home in Swansea in 1988, where she lived for the rest of her life.
Shirley dedicated her early adulthood to raising her two children, Jennifer Ann and Justin Theodore. Though Jeffery Michael passed away in infancy, he was always in her heart and never forgotten. She embraced motherhood with unwavering devotion, nurturing her children through their formative years. The family created countless cherished memories through camping trips, road trips to Florida, and afternoons spent by the pool. Shirley ensured their home was filled with love, laughter, and a strong sense of togetherness.
Once her children were grown up and equipped with the tools to navigate life, Shirley embarked on a new chapter, returning to work in retail. There, she discovered renewed purpose and joy in helping others and forming new connections. Her infectious smile and patient, kind, and loving nature brightened the lives of colleagues and customers alike. Shirley also deepened her spirituality, finding immense support and community within her church family, who became an integral part of her life, where she would attend services regularly and participate in bible studies.
Shirley was a woman who embraced life, consistently pushing her own boundaries and seeking new opportunities for connection. Her hobbies included traveling, bowling, sewing, concerts, plays, Cardinal Baseball games, bunco, playing games, and gardening. As her family grew, Shirley poured her boundless love into her grandchildren, building meaningful relationships and ensuring they always felt cherished. After experiencing the loss of her first love, Shirley was blessed to find love once more with John, with whom she built a partnership characterized by profound support, guidance, and companionship that was evident to all who knew them.
Shirley gave everything she had to her loved ones and others, with grace and without hesitation. Though her life ended too soon, her memory will be kept alive through the countless stories shared by those whose lives she touched. While she often sought a recipe for things when one didn’t exist, Shirley undeniably knew the recipe for love and kindness, which she shared abundantly with the world.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald George Trumpet; her infant son, Jeffrey Michael Trumpet; her mother and father, Alma, nee Redden, and Clair “Bud” Bowles; and her in-laws, Mildred and George Trumpet.
She is survived by her children, Jennifer A. (Kyle) Stephens, nee Trumpet of Shelbyville, KY and Justin Trumpet (Brittany Evans) of O’Fallon, IL; her grandchildren; George R. Stephens, Benjamin A. Stephens, and Theo M. Trumpet; her siblings Gloria A. (John) Funke of Cedar Hill, MO, Terry Jacquin of Yuma, Arizona, and Raymond Bowles of Vermont; and her loving companion, John Woodside.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the foundation, Return to Zero: H.O.P.E, an organization dedicated to bringing healing and support to those who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss. https://rtzhope.org/
Visitation and Funeral Service: Friends and family may visit from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026 and are invited to stay for the funeral service at 4:00 p.m. and then continue to visit until 6:00 p.m. at Kassy Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, IL.
A Celebration of Life will be held in June (details to follow), for friends and family to gather to share stories and memories of Shirley.
