Shirley Irene Kane, 78, died peacefully at 5:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 6, 2016 at Robings Manor in Brighton.
She was born on December 10, 1937 in Franklin to the late Charles & Alpha (Jackson) Lash.
Shirley grew up in Franklin, graduating from Franklin High School and later moved to the Alton/Wood River area where she made her home for many years.
She first married Gilbert Gillis and together they had four sons, she later married Dickey “Dick” Kane and they shared many wonderful years together before his passing on March 10, 2009.
Shirley was a loving and hard working woman, working as a Manager for McDonald’s at several area stores in her 20 year career. She was an avid bowler throughout her life, bowling on several leagues including the Moose Lodge of both Alton & Wood River as well as with her friends at Glenhaven Gardens of Alton, where she resided for the past 5 years. It was her family, however, who brought her the greatest joys in life, and she cherished each and every moment spent with them all.
Surviving are five sons, James “Jim” Gillis of southern Illinois; Charles “Chuck” Gillis and his wife, Karen of Murphysboro; Richard “Rick” Gillis and his wife, Amy Cooper of Jerseyville; Gary Kane of Fairview Heights; Rod Kane of Wood River; a daughter and son-in-law, Chris & Doug Schmidt of Centralia; twelve grandchildren; numerous great-grandchilden, with another on the way; and a brother, George Lash of Griggsville.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Gillis; a grandson, Christopher Gillis; four brothers, Dale, Warren, John and William “Bill” Lash and a sister, Eunice “Cookie” Riggs.
Visitation will be held from 3 to 7 p.m., Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.
Private burial will take place alongside her husband, Dick, at the Jefferson Barrack’s National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Activity Department at Robings Manor in Brighton in care of Crawford Funeral Home.
Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville is in charge of arrangements.