Chihak, Shirley Ann

Shirley Ann Chihak, 81, of 317 First St., Atkins, died peacefully at her home. Services: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, St. Jude Catholic Church by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Burial:St. Joseph Cemetery. A vigil service will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at Teahen Funeral Home where friends may visit from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

Survivors include her three daughters, Nancy (Ray) Scienzo of Concord, N.H., Joan (Paul) Cook of Palatine, Ill., and Lori (Marvin) Wilmes of Boone; five sons, David (Sharon) Chihak of Cedar Rapids, Michael (Barbara) Chihak of Florissant, Mo., Alan (Yvonne) Chihak of Burr Ridge, Ill., Carl (Zenny) Chihak of Long Beach, Calif., and Roger (Candace) Chihak of Lisbon; 18 grandchildren, Matthew, Jeremy, John, Jilani, Slyndon, Samadhi, Chris,Caroline, Camille, Abigail, Mildred, Paul, Charlie and Quincy Chihak, Christina and Zack Scienzo and Wesley and Casey Wilmes; two sisters, Rita Rosauer and Mary (Paul) Reuter; sister-in-law, Mary Valvoda; brother, Ronald (Helen) Palmersheim; brother-in-law, Robert (Eileen) Chihak; and many nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; a sister, Donna Williams; brother-in-laws, Don Rosauer, Vern Williams, Raymond Valvoda and Joseph Chihak; and sister-in-law, Marlene Chihak.

Shirley was born May 9, 1930, in Elma, the daughter of Mathias and Grace Hunemiller Palmersheim. She graduated from Elma High School and was married to Paul Peter Chihak on Sept. 9, 1952, in Elma. She attended St. Jude Catholic Church.

Shirley enjoyed gardening and treasured spending quality time with her family.

Instead of flowers memorials may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be extended at .

Published in The Gazette April 27, 2012.