Shirley Obst

Shirley Jean Obst, nee Schmitz, 87, of Belleville, IL, born December 29, 1933, in Belleville, IL, died Wednesday, October 13, 2021, at St. Paul’s Senior Community, Belleville, IL.

Shirley graduated from Belleville Township High School in 1951 and was a member of the Honor Society. Upon graduation, she took a job at Frances G. Becker Accounting Firm. She then went on to be a secretary for the Air Training Command and Military Air Transport Command. On May 17, 1958, she married James Obst. Their son Michael was born in December 1959.

As a life-long member of Zion Lutheran church in Belleville, IL, she was a member of Mothers Club, PTO, Couples Club, and the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. She volunteered in the church nursery and with Meals on Wheels. She also served as a deacon for Zion for 20 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, James H. Obst; her parents, Floyd E. and Rosella H., nee Bogner, Schmitz; two sisters, Betty Obst and Mary Knepper; and her brothers-in law, Lester Obst, Alan Obst, and Walter Knepper.

Surviving are her son, Michael (Sandra) Obst of Belleville, IL;
three granddaughters, Stacey (Scott) Paule, Leslie (Dan) Prescott, and Katie (Rudy) Croon;
11 great-grandchildren;
and sister-in-law, Dorothy Obst.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL, or to Family Hospice, Belleville, IL. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation:  Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing will be observed.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 16, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church, Belleville, IL, with Pastor Brian Downs officiating.

Burial will be at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.