07/15/2025
Our loving mother, Shirley L. Lane, passed away on July 14, 2025 at the age of 87. Shirley was born on October 5, 1936 in Quincy, Illinois. She was the only child of the late Paul and Edith Juanita McQuay Logan. She married Larry F. Lane in Big Prairie, Illinois on November 10, 1956. Larry preceded her in death on December 10, 1975. Surviving are her 3 children, Janet K. Parks (Ron) of Raleigh, Illinois, Curtis J. Lane (Fred Ortiz) of Cathedral City, California, and Dustin C. Lane (Leigh) of Eldorado, Illinois. Shirley also leaves behind 3 loving grandchildren, Samuel L Parks (Hillary) of Newburgh, Indiana, Karis M. Lane of Orlando, Florida, and Keegan E. Lane of Equality, Illinois.
In her early childhood Shirley traveled the tristate area with her grandparents Ben and Stella McQuay. Ben was store manager for JC Penny Co. and Benjamin Franklin Co. and his own store “The McQuay’s” in Macon Missouri.
The family settled in Norris City and Shirley became active in many school activities and in the community. She was president of the Future Homemakers of America (FHA), (which served her well, as she made an exceptional home for her family), starred in school theater and could be heard singing on the radio (WEBQ) with her aunt, Pat McQuay Midkiff, and also her singing group, The Harmonettes. The Harmonettes were a fixture at local events. They took the stage at Norris City Dairy Days, Carmi Corn Days, and Eldorado Town & Country Days.
Shirley graduated from Norris City high School in 1955, and enrolled and then graduated from the historic Lockyear Business College in Evansville, Indiana.
In 1985, Shirley was the visionary co-founder of Eldorado Enterprises, Inc. She was one of a handful of female recycling businesses owners in the nation and was featured in Recycling Magazine.
Shirley loved to travel. She would tell you that the highlights of her travels were trips to Alaska, and to Ireland, Scotland and England to see her ancestral homeland. She loved the West, from Yellowstone to New Mexico and California, and Visited the area many times. Sometimes by train.
Shirley was a member of Eldorado First Baptist Church, where she joined in membership in 1958. She loved being a Sunday School teacher, and teaching Vacation Bible School, and GA’s (Girl’s Auxiliary), and helping where needed. She was active in the WMU (Women’s Missionary Union) and loved the time spent with her friends as they worked on various projects for the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
She was a member of the Carmi Wabash Chapter of DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), and a member of Illinois Prairie Pioneer ’s and a lifetime member of the Eldorado Friends of the Library. She was an avid reader and loved to watch action movies. In the late 1970’s and 1980’s, Shirley volunteered at the Children's Bowen Center in Harrisburg, and was a literacy instructor at Southeastern Illinois College.
Shirley will long be remembered as a loving, and giving person, to all who called upon her. She always gave more than what was required. Shirley will also be remembered for her dedication, love and kindness to her family and her community, and for her generosity, empathy, compassion, strength, and courage.
There will be a private burial at Lindale Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?sc_dcm=58700008008698866&sc_cid=kwp&sc_cat=b&&&&&ds_rl=1290690&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1285465&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17681679263&gbraid=0AAAAADuyZN4tLv34jUxaIjUejaeBBC9ZU&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-NfDBhDyARIsAD-ILeD7I7niuV05CkkzMMlZ7EEl_d6xtnuBJ2OzGXVrISGb6mFilL1xUHEaAqQgEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family via the website www.colonialterracefuneralhome.com
