PEKIN ~ Doris A. Shallenberger, 79, of Pekin, passed away at 12:25 a.m. Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Proctor Hospital in Peoria.
Born July 29, 1932 in East St. Louis, IL to Edward A. and Letha Evelyn (Kelley) Akridge, she married Vernie Ray Shallenberger on June 30, 1951 in Corinth, MS. He survives.
Also surviving are one son, Johnny R. (Debbie) Shallenberger of Creve Coeur; four daughters, Regina A. (Johnny) Martin, Ramona E. (William) Howard, both of Pekin, Frankie J. (Robert) Freeman of South Pekin and Melody E. (Don) Tackett of Kentucky; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren and one half-sister, Caroline of Minnesota.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gary Lee Shallenberger on December 3, 1999 in Peoria and one granddaughter, Rhonda Caruso Rodgers on December 19, 2010 in Pekin.
Doris worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide for 30 years for Pekin Hospital, Methodist Medical Center in Peoria and last for OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, retiring July 4, 1988. She previously worked for Boss Glove Factory and for the Alton Glass Factory. She also raised five kids and worked at home as a housemother.
She was a member of the Pekin YWCA, where she enjoyed swimming. She also was a member of the Carrie M. Club at the Pekin Union Mission Society and an associate member of the UAW 974 Retirees Club. Doris went to Bunko Club for many years and loved being a winter Texan for 23 years. Her hobbies and interests also included cooking, camping and shopping. She also liked playing bingo, billiards and clogging; however what she enjoyed most was family time.
She was a member of the Community Fellowship General Baptist Church in South Pekin.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Dowice Ashley will officiate. Visitation will be one hour before the funeral. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery in Pekin.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Fellowship General Baptist Church, P.O. Box 493, South Pekin, IL 61564.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
