Shirley June McKinley
February 8, 1937 – October 30, 2016
Shirley (Taylor) McKinley of DeKalb, Illinois died October 30, 2016 at Lincolnshire Place, a memory care residence in Sycamore, Illinois.
She was born in Wayne County, Illinois on February 8, 1937, daughter to Otis and Nina (Pike) Taylor. Shirl completed high school at Wayne City High School, and soon moved to Rochelle Illinois, where she married her first husband, Allen Dean Braddy, and had their four children. Shirl was an extremely hard worker, starting her career as a legal secretary in DeKalb, Illinois while working two or more additional jobs at a time to support her family. She later became Secretary to the President at Northern Illinois University and retired from NIU in the early '90s. After retiring, Shirl completed beauty school in order to open her own salon, Shirl & Company, which she owned and operated for a number of years. While married to her second husband, Carl McKinley of DeKalb, Illinois, Shirl was an avid golfer, generous bingo winner, horse lover, and world traveler. Some of her favorite destinations included Costa Rica, England, Scotland, Hawaii, Alaska and Ireland. Shirl's greatest joy was spending time with her children and grandchildren, who affectionately called her Nana.
She is survived by her brother Richard (Dorothy) Taylor of Salem, IL, children Charlotte Braddy of Waukegan, IL, Thomas (Meggon) McKinley of Plano, TX, Jeffrey (Maria) McKinley of Gurnee, IL, grandchildren, Christine Meier of Chicago, IL, Alex Plucker of Creston, IL, Carly Plucker of Chicago, IL, Andrew McKinley of Chicago, IL, Allyse McKinley of Aurora, IL, Laurent McKinley of Dallas, TX, Savannah McKinley of Dallas TX.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Nina (Pike) Taylor, sisters Brenda Taylor, Lois (Taylor) Miller, Marilyn (Taylor) Byars, and son Allen Dean Braddy, Jr.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday November 4, 2016 at 12:00 PM in St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb, IL with Father Dean Russell officiating. Cremation will follow mass at Finch Crematory and burial of cremated remains will be in Fairview Park Cemetery on Saturday November 5, 2016. Visitation will be held on Friday November 4, 2016 at 11:00 AM till the time of the service in the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Transitions Hospice 12040 Raymond Court, Huntley, IL, 60142, (847) 515-1505. To send an online condolence visit: www.finchfuneralhomedekalb.com. Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815)-758-3841.