Shirley K. Johnson, 85, of Mendota, passed away at home on Monday November 8, 2021, after an extended illness.

Shirley was born September 2, 1936 at home in West Brooklyn to Russell and Hilda (Frey) Dalton. She graduated from Mendota High School in 1954 where she attended with her lifelong friend Rose Caster. She married the love of her life James R. Johnson on November 12, 1963 in Carterville. They welcomed their daughter Katherine on September 26 1966.

Shirley held many jobs throughout the years, starting at the "show" Mendota Theater, Swift's Feed Mill, Black Bros, Classon's Super Foods, Shell gas station, Mendota Cable Company and finally as a school bus driver for the Mendota School District. She enjoyed reading, baking and sewing. Shirley was also an avid gardener, growing flowers, fruits and vegetables which she and Jim spent countless hours tending. When gardening became difficult, Jim constructed raised beds so she could continue her love of growing things.

Shirley and Jim took yearly family vacations, first camping in southern Illinois with her sister and brother in law Marge and Mac McFarland. Then snowmobiling in Wisconsin with Jim's Aunt and Uncle Doris and Fred Yost. As grandchildren and great grandchildren arrived the entire family enjoyed vacationing on Bull Shoals Lake in Arkansas. She never turned down a spirited card game and playing euchre was a favorite past time.

Shirley is survived by her husband Jim of Mendota; daughter Katherine (Jim) Gross of LaMoille; two sisters Judy Stewart and Joan (Ray) DeVault both of Mendota; sister in law Mary Dalton of Peru; four grandsons, James (Elyssa) Albers of West Brooklyn, Justin (Hollie) Albers of Compton, Jacob Albers of Rochelle and Jordan Albers of Mendota and three great grandchildren Raelynn and Nash Albers of Compton and David Albers of West Brooklyn.

She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers Donald, Robert and Norman Dalton, beloved sister Marge McFarland, brother in law Everett McFarland, brother in law John Stewart, sister in law Delphine Dalton, sister in law Barb Dalton, brother in law Donald Johnson and two brothers and a sister in infancy .

Memorials may be directed to the family.