Shirley J. Bigham's Obituary
Shirley Jane (Martin) Bigham, 87, of Pinckneyville, IL, died peacefully at Pinckneyville Community Hospital on Sunday, August 28, 2022.
Shirley was born on September 11, 1934 at home in DuQuoin, IL. She was the second daughter of Simon and Florence (Mentel) Martin.
She married Orel E. Bigham on February 23, 1957 at St. Bruno Catholic Church in Pinckneyville and they shared more than fifty years together.
Shirley is survived by daughter Beth Bigham, M.D. (Robert Davidson, M.D.) and Sandra (Rex) Ferrero of Pinckneyville and son Gary (Annette) Bigham of Swansea; grandchildren: Sarah (Stephen) Hendrickson of Smithton, Elizabeth (Anthony) Zurliene of Fairfield, Katherine Bray of Springfield, Andrea Davidson (fiancé, Chad Spradling) of Belleville, James Davidson of Pinckneyville, Abigail Bigham and Stephanie Bigham of Swansea. Great-grandsons Bowen and Brooks Hendrickson and Abram and Emmit Zurliene, brothers-in-law Wayne (Charlene) Bigham of DuQuoin, Ed (Gloria) Bigham of Glen Carbon, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, older sister Patricia and husband Dean Gladson, younger brother Joe Adam and wife Lynn Martin, brothers-and sisters-in-law Winton (Marilyn) Bigham, Bessie (Mick) Rheinecker, Beulah (Kenneth) Hamm, Blanche (Bob) West, Nila (Bob) Kohlsdorf, nephews Robert Kohlsdorf and Larry Diegel, and niece Jeanne Hamm.
Shirley attended Nation School, St. Bruno Catholic School and graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1952. She continued her education at St. Louis University then transferred and graduated from Southern Illinois University - Carbondale with a degree in Elementary Education. She then returned to SIU-C to earn a Master's degree in Special Education.
Shirley was a retired teacher. She began her career teaching students in the fourth grade in Rockford, Illinois. Upon returning to Pinckneyville she taught Junior High School and sponsored cheerleaders. She then taught Special Education and Art and sponsored cheerleaders at Pinckneyville High School. She worked with administrators and supervisors to establish the Special Education program at PHS. She was a member of the Illinois Education Association and on the contract negotiation committee. Shirley was active in her church and community. She served on the St. Bruno School Board, Co-ordinator of PSR, Eucharistic minister, Lector, 50 year member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and past Regent, Distinguished St. Bruno Alumni, volunteer for Meals-on-Wheels and the Summer Lunch Program and participated with Church Women United, and Belleville diocesan Council of Catholic Women. She also participated in the March-for-Life in Washington, D.C. Shirley liked to sew, embroidery, knit/crochet, and make crafts. She prepared delicious roasts, fried chicken and baked-desserts - especially deep dish pies.
Shirley boated and camped with her husband and family enjoying summers by the water along with several local families. She also traveled to Rome and the Holy Land, and ventured to Washington, D.C. with her grandchildren.
Shirley was devoted to God, Community and Family. She dearly loved her grandchildren as they were the light of her life! She will be missed by those who loved her.
Funeral mass will be held at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday, September 2, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Carl Schrage officiating. Interment will be in St. Bruno Cemetery, Pinckneyville, IL.
Visitation will be at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. There will be a rosary recited prior to the visitation at 8:30 a.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Orel and Shirley Bigham Memorial. (Please make checks payable to Beth Bigham.)
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with arrangements.
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