Shirley Jean Yep, age 91, a longtime resident of Winfield, IL, died Saturday June 23, 2018. She was born in Chicago, IL, on June 6, 1927 to Malcolm B. and Francis Leota Keith.

Shirley grew up in Lombard, IL, and was a graduate of Glenbard West High School. She attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago and worked in the Art Department for the Chicago Daily News, where she met her future husband Jim Yep. They were married on July 7, 1950.

Shirley was a woman of strong faith. Converting to Catholicism at the time of her marriage, she and her husband Jim were very involved in the Cursillo Movement in the Joliet Catholic Diocese, as well as numerous Charismatic prayer groups. After the tragic passing of her husband Jim, in 1974, she remained active in her parish and loved to sing in the choir and teach catechism to adults. A frequent traveler to the Holy Land, she wrote several personal memoirs and assembled many photo albums. Shirley loved art and studied the value of writing Icons. Very dedicated to her family, she loved her children and grandchildren and spent many wonderful years traveling to various locations with her family.

She is survived by her nine children: Tim (Mary), Chris (Mary Anne), Deb (Jim) Dean, Mike, Pat (Therese), John (Barb), Mark (Patty), Tracy (Matt) Duhig, and Mindy. She is also survived by her sister Mary Ellen.

Shirley was blessed with 35 grandchildren, and 51 great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jim in 1974, her daughter Cassie Olson in 1997, her granddaughter Sarah Yep in 2001, and 8-month-old great grandson, Joshua Johnson, who died tragically on June 5, 2018. Also, preceding Shirley in death were brothers Donald in 1993, and Gerald in 2017.

Visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, Wheaton, IL, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Thursday June 28, 2018. Prayers will take place on Friday, June 29, 2018 at 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 0 S 233 Church Street, Winfield, IL.

Interment with a graveside service will follow at Assumption Cemetery located in Wheaton IL.

Memorials may be directed to the family, c/o Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187.