Shirley Ann (Weidner) Harris, 91, of Decatur, IL passed away peacefully October 5, 2026, in her residence.

A service to honor Shirley’s life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion. The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday evening, October 9, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the IL State Milking Shorthorn Society or the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. Condolences may be shared with the family at Calvertmemorial.com.

Shirley was born August 17, 1935, in Decatur, IL the daughter of Mike and Gertrude (Wilson) Weidner of Dalton City, IL. She grew up on the farm with her sister Gloria and had her first heifer calf at five years old. She often rode her pony to Prairie Vail, a one room school on Weidner Road. In high school,

Shirley was active in sports, a cheerleader, homecoming queen and in band and 4-H. She married William M. Fiesler and together they had a son, Dr. William L. Fiesler. In 1957,

Shirley married Bill Harris and they enjoyed 57 years together until his passing in 2014. Shirley worked at Neisler Laboratories, the U.S.D.A. and the family farm the rest of her life. Bill and Shirley built four homes together, traveled to all 50 states and 20 countries and organized the first farm progress show in the area, with the Orris and Boggs families in 1991. Shirley’s love of animals and showing cattle introduced her to so many people throughout the country. Going to 14 State fairs and winning more State Grand Champions added to her long list of achievements. Shirley loved her cattle and farm friends and her very active life. Shirley said she was lucky to have lived the life she wanted, in the country, on the farm. All of God’s creatures have lost a good friend. Shirley has been involved with agriculture and livestock projects for many years. She was a 4-H leader for 12 years and helped the Mt. Zion Jolly Farmers win Macon County club of the Year. She also served as a director of the Macon County 4-H Four. For many years, Shirley supplied cattle and other livestock for the FFA petting zoos. She furnished dairy calves for the county fair petting zoo and supplied cattle for various churches’ nativity scenes. Shirley was a volunteer at Scovill Zoo and also volunteered for cancer, heart, and multiple sclerosis fundraising drives. She served as a township chairperson for cancer drives. She was Superintendent of Dairy for the Macon County Fair and judged several shows at county fairs. She judges the junior show at the Indiana State Fair and led a seminar on dairy during Ag Careers Week. Shirley held classes on her farm, welcoming busloads of students. Each year, she donated cows to be milked at Farm-in-the-City at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago, a zoo visited by three million people each year. She hosted two exchange students from Denmark and was a foster parent for two children from Kemmerer Children’s Home. Shirley was a member of the Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church. CATTLE Shirley served on the National Board of Directors of the American Milking Shorthorn Society and was President of the Illinois Milking Shorthorn Association. She won the Outstanding Showman Award at the World Dairy Expo in Madison and also received the Kitchell Sayre Sportsmanship Award at the World Dairy Expo. Shirley showed cattle at fourteen state fairs and in Canada. She served as a chairperson for the National Futurity and the All-American Committee. Shirley won nine National Grand Championships after 1983 at the World Dairy Expo. Two years ago, the family farm celebrated 90 years at the Illinois State Fair. People would say to Shirley, “You work hard,” and she would reply: “All work is hard.”

Surviving is her son: William L. Fiesler D.M.D. of Decatur; niece: Debbie Bateman (Philip) of Decatur and nephew: Ed Woare (Karen) of Decatur; seven great nieces and nephews, and cousins survive. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, and one niece, Sandy.

Special thanks to Marty House, Debbie Bateman, Mike and Connie Orris for your love and friendship over the many years. And to most recent caregivers; Janice, Tracy, Mary, and Linda. Thank you.

Courtesy: Calvert & Wikoff

 

Beverly J. Gant 69, of Mt. Zion, IL passed away at 8:45 p.m., Thursday, October 8, 2026, in her residence  

A service to honor Beverly’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Calvert & Wikoff Funeral Home, Mt. Zion, IL. The family will receive friends for visitation on Monday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Mt. Zion Township Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Cancer Society. Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at Calvertmemorial.com.

Beverly was born August 9, 1957 in Decatur, IL the daughter of Donald and Noela (Garber) Hunter. She had many various positions but recently she worked as an Administrative Assistant for Caterpillar. Beverly was a member of the Mt. Zion Presbyterian church. She had volunteered at the Scovill Zoo, and was a Make-a-Wish grantor for many years. Beverly enjoyed dancing, collecting shells along the beach side, tending to her flower gardens and her dogs.

Surviving is her daughter: Rochelle Luttrell (Ken) of LaPlace, IL son: Jeremiah LaMont (Arianna) of Oklahoma City, OK; brothers: Mark Hunter (Jami) of Maroa, Il and Brad Hunter (Joyce) of Argenta, IL; sister: Sheri Schorfheide (Nathan) of Chatham, IL; grandchildren: Cassandra Luttrell, Kenny W. Luttrell, Halia LaMont and Isabella Garza. Beverly was preceded in death by her parents and life-partner: Steven Bromley.

Courtesy:  Calvert & Wikoff