Shirley Willrett Johnson

Shirley Willrett Johnson, age 99, of Maple Park and Oakcrest, died on Sunday September 19, 2021, she was born to Jacob Willrett and Ruth Roland Willrett on Nov. 11, 1921. Except for a few brief months during World War II, she lived all her life in DeKalb County, Illinois. She was a farmer's wife, a homemaker, a Home Economics teacher, an excellent seamstress, an avid Bridge player, fan of all thing's sports - especially Basketball. She and Ernest attended every Track&Field, every football game and basketball game that Craig and Paul were in. Shirley was a lifelong member of the Maple Park Methodist Church, active as a Sunday School teacher, a member of the Women's Society, a Rep at Church Conference, on the Board of Directors, organizer of many many Church Turkey suppers, and weekly attendee for 70+ years. Shirley worked on her family genealogy for 50+ years, producing 20 family collections and visiting dozens of cemeteries (a family joke).

She will be remembered for cooking 3 well-balanced meals EVERY day of her life and hosting EVERY family holiday and birthday until she retired at age 85. She graduated from DeKalb High School in 1940 and from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Home Economics in 1944. She and Ernest were married on June 3, 1943. She loved to take day trips and longer trips and visited Columbia SA, China, and England, among others

She is preceded in death by Ernest, her husband of 68 years. Survivors include her four children and their spouses; Camille Johnson of Milwaukee, Craig and Gill Johnson of Wiltshire, U.K; Mary and John Cory of Dallas, Texas; Paul and Bambi Johnson of Maple Park, Illinois. She also has 8 grandchildren: Emma/Mitch, Jacob/Cindy, and Josh/Susan Johnson (Camille). Derek/Laura and Dan/Charlie Johnson (Craig). Paige Cory (Mary). and Parker/Brittany and Hayden/Stephanie Johnson (Paul) and 9 great grandkids; Helena & Lucas Tambakakis (Emma), Avery & Mira Johnson (Jac), Jemima & Jack Johnson (Derek), Ivy & Oslo Johnson (Dan), and Mila Johnson (Parker). We will miss her.

The memorial service will be held on Wednesday September 22, 2021, at 11:00 AM in the Maple Park Grace Methodist Church with Pastor Joe Munro officiating. Visitation will be held on Wednesday September 22, 2021, at 10:00 AM till the time of the service in the church. Cremati9on was entrusted to Finch Crematory and burial of cremains will be at a later date in Fairview Park Cemetery in DeKalb. Arrangements were entrusted to: Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115 (815) 758-3841