Shirley A. Peterson, 83, of Rockford passed away peacefully on
January 5, 2019 at her home with
family at her side. Born on February
19, 1935 in Fulton, Tennessee the daughter of Mack and Edith Parham. Shirley
was baptized in the Mississippi River at Fulton. She graduated from Ripley High
School in 1953. On February 4, 1956 at Fulton Baptist Church,
Shirley was united in marriage to Gerald Peterson. She confirmed her faith at Redeemer Lutheran
Church in Pensacola, FL in 1956.

Shirley was an excellent seamstress, an accomplished cook, and
enjoyed craft projects. She found many opportunities to share her
gifts through volunteering at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Belvidere and in the
early years of Rockford Lutheran High School as a member of the Ladies
Auxiliary. For more than 25 years Shirley coordinated the assembly and mailing
of the monthly church newsletter.

Shirley is survived by Gerald, her husband of 62 years, her
children Margie (Dan) Hennig of Cherry Valley, Judy (Jeff) Schaefer of
Belvidere, and David (Doreen) Peterson of Belvidere; grandchildren Becky
(Chris) Yerk of Winnebago, Andrew (Kayla) Hennig of Springfield, IL, Liz (Nick)
Long of Winston-Salem, NC, Joshua Peterson, Michael Peterson, and Emily
Peterson all of Belvidere; two great grandchildren Porter Yerk and Owen Yerk;
siblings Doris Braden of Memphis, TN, Stanley (Patricia) Parham of Rosemark,
TN, Ernest (Cheri) Parham of Colorado Springs, CO, Patricia (Harvey) Winchester
of Brownsville, TN, and Terry (Charlotte) Parham of Henning, TN, and many
nieces, nephews, and cousins. Shirley was preceded in death by her
parents, brother Mack Parham, Jr. and sisters Margaret Kirby and Bonnie
Shropshire.

Visitation from 9-10:45 a.m., Saturday, January 12 , 2019 at
Immanuel Lutheran Church 1045 Belvidere Rd, Belvidere, IL 61008.
Funeral service at 11: 00 a.m., Saturday, January 12, 2019 at Immanuel
Lutheran Church with Rev. Roger Pollock officiating. Internment at McHenry
County Memorial Park Woodstock, IL following the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be directed to the Immanuel
Lutheran School in Belvidere for tuition scholarships.

The family wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many
expressions of love, kindness, and prayer shown to them at this difficult time
by so many people.

To light a candle or share a condolence
please visit www.AndersonFCS.com