Shirley Richardson

We honor our beloved Shirley J Richardson of Mount Zion, who passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Born on June 10, 1935, in Bluford, IL, Shirley was the daughter of Clarence and Amanda King. She married Owen Richardson on December 16, 1953, who survives her. Owen’s love and devotion never wavered, especially during her battle with dementia. They would have celebrated 72 years of marriage on December 16, 2025.

Survivors in addition to her husband are son Donald (Terry) Richardson of Maryville, Il, daughters Angela Brown of Mt Zion, IL, Barbara (Jim) Riethmaier of Bloomington, Ill. Her grandchildren Brandon Lowery, Brianne Brown, Lazarus (Fang Fang) Richardson and Nick Richardson. Great Grandchildren Keigan White, Alexis Wisley and Logan Smith. She also leaves behind a sister, Phyllis Morgan (Charles) and many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Vern and JC., sisters Corrine and Estella and her precious Grandson Bryce Wisley.

Shirley’s passion was caring for others. She spent many years babysitting. She loved those children as her own. She worked for The Life Enrichment Center in Mt Zion, then as a bus monitor for 22 years where she found her true passion of caring and loving special needs children. One of her greatest accomplishments was a trip with Children’s Miracle Network to Disney World and meeting Marie Osmond. She was an active member of South Shores Christian Church in Decatur, Illinois.

Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and devoted friend who will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A service to honor Shirley’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2025, at Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, IL. The family will receive friends for visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., until service time. Burial will follow in the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to South Shores Christian Church, Decatur, Il. or to Children’s Miracle Network. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at Calvertmemorial.com.

The family would like to thank the staff of Carriage Crossing and Hands of God Hospice for their excellent care of Shirley.

We encourage our friends and family to visit Fletcher Park in Mount Zion, where we have a bench dedicated to Owen and Shirley alongside a tree in memory of Bryce.