Shirley R. (Wessels) Oberbroeckling, 59, 14431 W. Prairie Lane, East Dubuque, IL, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 23, 2012, at home surrounded by her family after a brief illness.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 A/M, Wednesday, September 26, 2012, at Nativity BVM Church, Menominee, IL, with Rev. James Parker officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3 P/M to 8 P/M, Tuesday, September 25, 2012, at the Miller Funeral Home, East Dubuque, IL. The Parish Scripture Service will be recited at 2:45 P/M, Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Shirley was born, October 29, 1952, the eldest child of Robert and Frances (Menke) Wessels. She married John Oberbroeckling on August 18, 1973, in Holy Cross, IA.

She was a graduate of Clarke College and also earned a Masters in Music from Northern Illinois University.

Shirley worked for McGraw-Hill Companies for the last 17 years where she received many awards and recognitions. She was part of many organizations with McGraw-Hill such as Toastmasters and WINS. She also taught music and directed many musicals at Leo High School in Holy Cross, IA.

Shirley loved to spend time with her family, especially her ten grandchildren. You could find Shirley with John and their two oldest grandsons on Saturday mornings at John's Dubuque Farmers Market stand. Shirley loved playing the piano and listening to classical music. She was part of the Sinsinawa Mound choir for many years and enjoyed singing in their Messiah concert. Shirley enjoyed traveling. She cherished her trips with her mom and sisters. She also looked forward to her trips with her girlfriends and was proud to be part of the UNBC club.

Surviving are her husband, John; three children, Jennifer (Justin) Kieffer and their children, Joshua, William, and Andrew, East Dubuque, IL, Lynn (Chad) Heller and their children, Joseph, John, Lucy and Ross, Galena, IL, Jay (Kathy) Oberbroeckling and their children, Christopher, Alex and Claire, East Dubuque, IL; her mother, Frances Wessels, Dyersville, IA; her siblings, Michael (Joyce) Wessels, Rickardsville, IA, Bev (John) Lucas, Sherrill, IA, Debbie (Chuck) Klein, Farmingdale, NY, Thomas (Terry) Wessels, Rockford, IL, Jeffrey (Amy) Wessels, Newark, DE, Amy (Tim) Koehn, Holy Cross, IA; her brother and sister-in-laws, Pete (Jane) Oberbroeckling, Holy Cross, IA, Clara Harter, Petersburg, IA, Annie (Bob) Scherbring, Dyersville, IA, Leo (Carolyn) Oberbroeckling, Guttenberg, IA, David (Julie) Oberbroeckling, Davenport, IA, Hilda (Clem) DeMuth, Earlville, IA, Kay Herman, Dubuque, IA, Clyde (LuAnn) Oberbroeckling, Holy Cross, IA, Walt Oberbroeckling, Hazel Green, WI, Becky Oberbroeckling, Dubuque, IA; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Frances, in infancy; her father, Robert Wessels; her father and mother-in-law, John and Catharine Oberbroeckling; her brother-in-laws, Henry Harter and Hugo Oberbroeckling; and her sister-in-laws, Alma Oberbroeckling and Alice Oberbroeckling.

The family would like to thank Dr. Hermann and his staff; the staff at the Wendt Center; the Hospice of Dubuque staff, especially Melanie, Jan, Amy E. and volunteers, Linda, Deb and Sue; all the wonderful people at McGraw-Hill; and our family and friends for their care and support during these last couple of months.

Online condolences may be left for the family at: www.millerfhed.com.