Obituary of Shirley Jane Clark

Obituary of Shirley Jane Clark (1923-2018)

Shirley Jane Clark passed away peacefully with family by her side at The Terrace Nursing Home in Waukegan, IL on January 31, 2018. Shirley was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. 

Shirley was born on November 13, 1923 and raised in rural Mundelein. She married Raymond August Clark on December 24, 1945 and raised her family in Gages Lake, IL. In her later years, Shirley lived with family in Zion, IL and eventually at the Terrace Nursing Home in Waukegan, IL.

After earning her Bachelor's degree in teaching from Northern Illinois University she began teaching 1st and 2nd graders in Mundelein. She then went on to teach 3rd graders at Woodland in Gurnee for 19 years. She also taught Sunday school at Immanuel Church for 36 years.  Shirley was an excellent seamstress and needle crafter who enjoyed giving her work as gifts. She always keep her mind and hands busy!

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents Ernest Payne Ritta and Gertrude Else (Thorsall) Ritta, her sisters Irene McCormick and Francis Hertal, and her beloved husband Raymond August Clark (1958). Shirley is survived by her siblings Marjorie Neal and Ernest Ritta, her children Barb Adams (Gary) and Nancy Bicket (Jeff), her grandchildren Gary Adams (Tony), Greg Adams (Shelly), Mike Bicket (Kelli), Bryan Bicket (Betsy), Laura Ziztloff (Scott), and Kristie Martin (Ryan), as well as by her 15 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.  

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 6, at Congdon Funeral Home in Zion, Illinois from 10am-11am and immediately followed by a service reflecting upon her life. Following the service at Congdon Funeral Home a short service will be performed at Warren Cemetery.

If you would like to leave a donation in honor of Shirley please do so by giving to Immanuel Church in Gurnee, IL (847-336-4800).

A heartfelt and special thanks to all the wonderful caregivers of The Terrace Nursing Home for the way you embraced Shirley and cared for her as your own family.