Shirley Pearson Obituary

Shirley Jean Pearson, age 95, a resident of Wheaton, IL, passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024. She was born September 30, 1929 in Chicago Heights, IL to Isaac & Rosetta Prince.
In 1950, Shirley was married to Rev. Clarence J Pearson. Shirley and Clarence had five children, ranging from two weeks old to nine years old when Clarence died unexpectedly in 1960.
Shirley was church organist at Park Forest First Baptist during the 1960s. She had a lovely soprano voice, as she was frequently called upon to sing during Worship Services, weddings and funerals. After relocating her family to Wheaton in the late 1960s, she became a very active member at Wheaton Bible Church. She helped start an adult ministry group for widows and widowers. She was also active in Wheaton City Hall, appointed to be member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. For several decades, she served as precinct committee-woman in Wheaton. Shirley was a teacher, then ultimately became a school psychologist in Elgin School District U-46.
Shirley had a servant's heart, first and foremost, to Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior, then cared for and worked hard to provide for the needs of her children and parents. She never stopped developing her circle of friends, all during which continued her own spiritual life and social network. She never stopped using her God-given gifts to serve everyone she came in contact with, sharing His Word all the while. She worked with a prison ministry, visiting those in the system, helping them in their personal development and communication with their family and friends through activities like letter writing. She and Mel, her late husband, traveled across the world on various short-term mission trips, typically working on "quality of life" projects and classroom activities to better prepare the people she worked with for their life.
She was a "summer destination" for her grandchildren. Shirley and Mel would take the grandkids to the lake cottage in Wisconsin and let them run wild, swimming, hiking, boating, fishing, all while growing closer together. The grandchildren still fondly reminisce about those good old days.
Shirley loved holidays. There were elaborate table decorations every Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. She frequently prepared a variety of delicious dinners for several dozen family members and friends at a time. The best part was the dessert table covered with delicious fudge, cookies, pies, cakes, etc., all prepared with love. She knew how much everyone looked forward to those meals and joyous fellowship.
She is survived by her children: James (Pamela), John, Daniel (Diana), Barbara (Herb) Norton & Paul Pearson MD, PhD; her grandchildren: Heather (Justin) Pearson Kamiyama, Jennifer (Eric) Henry, Christina (Justin) Yoho, Michelle (Chris) Altamore, Justin (Katie) Pearson, Susan (Matthew) Anderson, Steven (fiancée Olivia Madden) Pearson, CJ (Haylee) Pearson, Clayton Pearson, Jack (fiancée Katie Dozier) Pearson & Eden Pearson; and a very large number of great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Clarence J. Pearson (1960); her husband Melvin Hendrickson (2019); her granddaughter Laura (Mark Larwill) Pearson; her grandson Jonas Pearson; and her sister Leila Golding.
During the sunset years of her life, Shirley remained in her home and was very well cared for by her caregivers, Dorota Grzych and Irena Biszczuk. The entire family is so grateful to Dori and Irena for the level of professional care they gave her.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Please check back for details.
Memorial gifts may be directed to Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.
Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.