(Note: The family plans a burial now for Schoenleber in Alhambra, IL). Shirley Ann Schoenleber, age 93 of Spokane Valley, WA, died Wednesday, January 6, 2021, in Spokane Valley, WA.
She was born on Thursday, October 27, 1927, in Edwardsville, IL, the daughter of James and Lila (nee Jordan) Weaver. Her siblings were George and Margaret Nord, Gloria Brown, and younger brother James Weaver.
In 1946 she married Wallace John Schoenleber, also of Edwardsville, IL. Caren Joan was born in Ohio, Dana Jean in Washington, and Tracy James in Iran. Wally’s job as an engineer took the family to Iran for five years and Nicaragua for two, and sparked her lifelong interest in worldwide travel and culture.
Wally and Shirley separated in 1969, and later divorced. At that time, Shirley began working as a Registered Nurse in Spokane, Washington. In her 25 years as a nurse, she participated in some of the world’s first open-heart surgeries, cared for postoperative heart patients, and found great satisfaction in caring for burn patients. After she retired, she volunteered at the same hospital for another 25 years providing reassurance and the wisdom of her experience to the families of patients receiving heart surgery.
Shirley was never still, and never bored. She was a master quilter, an accomplished genealogist, enjoyed camping with her family, and caring for her beautiful garden. Her travels took her to Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, South and Central America, visiting dozens of countries. She traveled with her sister Margaret, her children, and with medical, church and humanitarian missions the world over.
Shirley’s travels and innate curiosity made her intensely interested in people of every culture, and she especially enjoyed meeting people with whom she could speak Farsi and Spanish. She will be missed for her great intellect, her love of family, her independence, and her adventurous spirit.
Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL.
Services were held at a previous time in Spokane, WA.
Interment will be in the Harris Cemetery, Alhambra, IL.
