Shirley Jean (Sperry) Rosenbaum

On Sunday, January 1, 2023, Shirley Jean Rosenbaum, loving wife and mother of two, passed away at the age of 95 at Snyder Village in Metamora, IL.

Shirley was born on December 28, 1927, in Peoria, IL, the second-born child to Harold Rhea and Rose Catherine (Waldbeesser) Sperry. Shirley had been a graduate of Woodruff High School, Class of 1946.

She married John Anderson Rosenbaum on September 5, 1948, after his return from WWII. Together, they had two sons, John (Ellen) Rosenbaum of Germantown Hills, IL and Gary (Terri Lappin) of Tucson, AZ. She also has three grandchildren, Wendee (Kent) Anderson of Kansas City, KS, John (Carrie Dickey) Rosenbaum of Union, MO, and Jennifer (Stuart) Whitaker of Germantown Hills, IL. She was known as Great-Grandma to Drew and Tanner Anderson, Taylor and Hunter Whitaker, and Elsie Rosenbaum. Shirley also has many nieces and nephews that survive her.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, as well as all of her siblings, Harold (Virginia) Sperry, Gene (Beverly) Sperry, and Delores (Raymond) Hammerich, and one great-grandson, Drew Anderson.

Shirley worked as a photo colorist at Burchett Photo Studio before becoming a wife and mother. Aside from being a housewife, she enjoyed helping with the family businesses of Peoria Produce and Family Recipe Chicken. She was an active volunteer and "Pink Lady" at Proctor Hospital until 2003, when she became a childcare provider for her great-grandchildren.

Shirley was very active and independent, well into her upper seventies. She would make the solo drive from Peoria, IL to Tucson, AZ, yearly to spend time with her son. She enjoyed exploring all the things Arizona had to offer with Gary and Terri. Shirley frequently spent family vacations with John, Ellen, John, and Jennifer, visiting dude ranches, Disney World, and even Jamaica. Rarely was there an event she missed.

The family would like to extend our sincerest appreciation to all the Snyder Village Memory Care Assisted Living staff, where Shirley resided for the last several years, and Transitions Hospice, for their help and guidance during the final weeks of Shirley's life.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at Mason Funeral Home Germantown Hills Chapel with Pastor Gary Salm officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am until service time, also on Saturday at the funeral home. Her final resting place will be alongside her husband in Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, IL.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks those who can to contribute to a scholarship fund in her great-grandson's honor, Drew Anderson Inspiration in Journalism at The University of Kansas School of Journalism. This scholarship is dedicated to KU students who inspire their peers by overcoming obstacles and demonstrating a passion for their work. Contributions can be mailed to the KU Endowment Center, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928 or online at kuendowment.org. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

Drew Anderson Inspiration in Journalism at The University of Kansas School of Journalism
KU Endowment Center, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence KS 66044-0928
Web: http://www.kuendowment.org