Shirley Jean (Jones) Makler, 84, a lifelong resident of the Livingston/Staunton area, died at 3:42 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, at Edwardsville Nursing and Rehab Center in Edwardsville.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Williamson Funeral Home in Staunton. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. Kevin Cook officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
Mrs. Makler was born on Feb. 8, 1930, in Livingston, the daughter of the late Mathas "Matt" and Jane "Jennie" (Best) Jones. She married Rudy H. Makler of rural Staunton on June 20, 1948, at the First United Methodist Church in Staunton, and he preceded her in death on Aug. 5, 1987.
She attended Livingston schools and graduated from Livingston High School in 1947. Her mother had been the first graduate of Livingston High School, class of one, in 1921.
Mrs. Makler had been a member of St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Staunton since her marriage in 1948. She worked at the dress factory prior to her marriage, and she and her husband owned and operated the Staunton 204 Cab Co. in the 1950s as well as the popcorn/tamale stand on Main Street in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
She then worked as a bottle selector at Owens-Illinois until its closing in the 1980s and then worked in the cafeteria of Bunker Hill School District. After that time she was at home centering her life around her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Makler is survived by two children, Vicki (John) Renner of rural Bunker Hill and Rory (Patty) Makler of Sawyerville; five grandchildren, John Renner, Jr. of Litchfield, Jeanne Ziegler (Kim Pernicka) of Bunker Hill, Nichole (Brad) Stoecker of Litchfield, Jessica Makler (Matt Larsen) of Staunton and Christopher Makler of Benld; seven great-grandchildren, Cassie (Thomas) Scroggins, Cayla Ziegler (Daniel Burdell), Carlie Ziegler, Rikkelle Renner, Trinity Renner, Hanley Stoecker and Chase Stoecker; two great-great-granddaughters, Hazle Burdell and Ella Scroggins; several cousins, nieces and nephews; and a brother-in-law, Jim Early of New Douglas.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her in-laws, Linda and Henry Makler; two brothers, Russell Jones and Udell, who died in infancy; one sister, Alice Joann Early; and a sister-in-law, Jeane Jones.
Memorials may be made to Community Memorial Hospital Building Fund of Staunton, Staunton Educational Fund, Wounded Warrior Project or the Alzheimer's Association.
