Shirley Hankes

SHIRLEY HANKES, age 87, of North Aurora, IL, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, April 3, 2012 at Delnor Community Hospital, Geneva. A woman devoted to her faith, Shirley, celebrated her birthday with her family here on Sunday and now will celebrate the joy of Easter morn in Heaven, just a week later."I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." 2Timothy 3:6Shirley was born April 2, 1925, in Aurora, IL, the daughter of John and Madeline (Bury) Weisgerber. She grew up in Aurora where she attended local schools graduating from East Aurora High School. Following graduation she worked for the Burlington Northern Railroad for a time until she met Ray Hankes through mutual friends. Their courtship was not long but the vows that were taken on April 7, 1945, bound their hearts together for a lifetime. They began their married life on the farm in Sugar Grove where they lived with Ray’s parents. Though Shirley did not begin as a "farmer" she grew to share her husband’s love for the farm and was a part of much of the daily activity. She enjoyed her garden from which countless things were "frozen" to feed her growing family. While she was a busy wife and mother, she always made time for others and volunteered in many places including being active with the Helping Hands and Sugar Grove Boys 4-H Clubs. Shirley was involved with many aspects of her church, Holy Angels Catholic Church, where she served as a volunteer for Holy Angels Food Pantry and since 1985 had been a minister of care, taking Holy Communion to the homebound. In 2006, Shirley was awarded the honor of being "Catholic Woman of the Year". She and Ray were actively involved in the development of Waubonsee Community College. She also worked for the Girl Scouts for several years.She was a lifelong member of Holy Angels Catholic Church Aurora; St. Ann’s Society; Kane County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee; the Canasta Club and the Kane County Home Extension.Her family had a number of treasured traditions and spending Christmas Eve together was one of the most important times. Phone calls and visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the "sunshine" of her life and memories that they will remember always. With hands that were never idle, Shirley found time to embroider tablecloths for each of her children, latch hook, and create centerpieces for the senior group. Those same hands were found each day holding the treasured beads of her Rosary. The prayers of each day supported those she loved and sustained her through all of the days of her life.She is survived by seven children: Raymond (Ellen) Hankes of Gibson City, IL, Elizabeth (Dennis) Engel of Hampshire, IL, Nicholas (Darlene) Hankes of Virgil, IL, James (Kae) Hankes of Galesburg, IL, Joan (Paul) Burns of Springfield, IL, Patricia (Gregory) Sinn of Tremont, IL, Christine (Michael) Turner of North Aurora, IL, and one daughter-in-law, Lorri Hankes of Sugar Grove, IL; twenty four-grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. And one sister Frances Adams of Sandwich, ILShe is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Hankes, her son, Robert Hankes, and one granddaughter, Michelle.Her visitation will be held Sunday, April 8, 2012 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Eburn, IL. A Rosary will begin visitation at 3 p.m. A mass will to celebrate her life will be held Monday morning, April 9th at 10 a.m., at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 180 S. Russell Ave., Aurora. Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Aurora, IL.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Holy Angels Food Pantry, 204 S. Russell, Aurora, IL 60506. Tributes may be forwarded to the family at Conley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119 or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be Sunday April 8, 2012 at the funeral home, from 3-8PM with the Rosary at 3:00. A mass to celebrate her life will be Monday April 9, 2012 at Holy Angels Catholic Church, 180 South Russell Ave., Aurora, at 10:00 am, interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Aurora.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Aurora, IL