Shirley Kleinlein

Shirley Ann Kleinlein, age 67, of Gilbert, Arizona and formerly of Mt. Sterling, passed away at 6:42 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2017 at the Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

Shirley was born December 14, 1949 at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois the daughter of O. L. and Dovie Lorene Dobey Bemis.  She married her high school sweetheart, Bruce A. Kleinlein on June 13, 1970 and he survives of Gilbert, Arizona.  Shirley is also survived by two sons Bryan Kleinlein and Brannon Kleinlein both of Phoenix, Arizona.  Two granddaughters Anya Marie and Phoebe Allan Kleinlein both of Phoenix, Arizona.  1 half -brother Gordon Bemis of Sheridan, Indiana. Her mother in law Mary Alice Edwards of Mt. Sterling, Illinois. 1 brother in law Rodney (Donna) Kleinlein of Bloomington, Illinois.  2 sisters in law Jan (Gary) Chapman of Burlington, Iowa and Bonnie (Steve) Sorrells of Mt. Sterling, Illinois.  Several nieces and nephews also survive including, Brett (Dawn) Bemis, Krystal (Roger) Roan, Scott (Donna) Bemis, Kay Mathewson, Kathryn (Todd) Stambaugh, Denton (Cindy) Bemis, Tammy (Tom) Gilliam , Alicia (Au) Nguy, Nathan Chapman, Kari (Kyle) Cooperider, Andrea Kleinlein, Stacey (Jeremy) Craven and Melissa Zimmerman. 

Shirley graduated from Brown County High School with the class of 1967, where she served as the “Golden Girl” Twirling head majorette, was a member of the band and Future Nurses of America.  She then graduated from St. Johns School of Nursing in 1970 where she became an Illinois Certified Registered Professional Nurse.  In 1984 Shirley received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois and in 2002 she received her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix, where she was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and she was also a member of the American Nurses Association. 

Shirley worked as a nurse for a variety of hospitals and doctors offices in Illinois from 1970 until 1988 and from 1988 until 2000 served as the Director of Nursing at LaSalle County Health Department.  Shirley then became a Clinical Assistant Professor at Arizona State University College of Health and Innovations from 2001 until 2016. 

Shirley was a very special person who lived for her family, friends, nursing and loved being around all people.  No one was a stranger to her and she would never say an unkind word to anyone.  Just like her mother Dovie, she loved hosting parties, birthdays and holidays, especially Christmas.  Every morning you could find her at the kitchen table with her coffee, the newspaper, and a big smile on her face.  She loved baking cookies with her granddaughters and teaching them how to cook and make crafts.  All that knew her will miss her immensely.  Through her work as a clinical nursing instructor with Arizona State University she worked with many homeless and underprivileged people and set up programs to provide them with health care they could not otherwise obtain.  She was a truly compassionate nurse, always promoting their needs and educating her students on what it means to be a professional nurse.  She and Bruce loved music and were never without it.

Shirley was also a member of the United Methodist Church and “The Islands” Women’s Club which promoted women’s shelter programs. 

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 1, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Sterling, Illinois with Pastor Gary Chapman and Pastor Angel Rosales officiating.

A celebration of her life will then be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday October 15, 2017 at the Islands Community Center, 825 South Island Dr. W., in Gilbert Arizona.

Memorials are suggested to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the American Cancer Society or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and may be left at the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling.

Condolences for the family may be left on line at www.hendrickerfuneralhome.com.

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is in charge of the arrangements.