Shirlee A. Wessler, 91, Arenzville, died on Sunday, December 4, 2022, at Cedarhurst of Jacksonville.
She was born October 2, 1931, in Ferguson, Missouri, the daughter of Lester A. Sr. and Mildred Phillips Rowden. Shirlee married Don Wessler on August 28, 1953, in Ferguson, Missouri, and he survives.
She is also survived by two sons, Jeff (Gale) Wessler of Arenzville and Jay (Shelley) Wessler of Concord; five grandchildren, Jaclynn (Clay) Shoufler of Williamsville, Abigail (Ryan) Miller of Concord, Alison (Jacob) Meyer of Concord, A.J. (Meredith) Wessler of Decatur, and Pete (Kelley) Wessler of Concord; and 16 great-grandchildren, Anna, Sam, Clara, Wesley, Blake, Isabelle, Gavin, Eli, Grant, Ben, Leah, Nolan, Owen, Avery, Norah, and Molly.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Lester A. Rowden, Jr.
Shirlee was raised in Ferguson and met Don while attending Culver-Stockton College. She taught briefly in LaGrange, Missouri when they were first married and Don was still attending Culver-Stockton. They eventually moved to Arenzville where, as a young lady, she assisted Don at Wessler Bros. Agency. She was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church, LWML, and volunteered her time freely at the church. She was a member of D.A.R. and enjoyed genealogical research. She enjoyed watching her boys play football, spending time in Florida, Ludington, Michigan, and the Lake of the Ozarks. She most enjoyed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and was well-known for serving them chocolate chip cookies by the pool.
The family would like to offer special thanks for the exceptional care Shirlee received from Cedarhurst of Jacksonville and Elara Hospice.
A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 8, 2022, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arenzville, with burial at Arenzville North Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Williamson Funeral Home.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left online at www.airsman-hires.com.
