Shirley A. Haffner-Chase

Shirley A. Haffner-Chase, 95, of Rockford, Illinois, formerly of Harvard, passed away on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at Bickford of Rockford.

Shirley was born on August 8, 1930 in Harvard, Illinois, to Walter A. Yates and Thelma P. (Nelson) Yates. Shirley dedicated her professional life to education, serving as a teacher with Harvard School District 50, where she influenced the lives of many students.

She was a faithful member of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and active in several organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Harvard Historical Society, and the McHenry County Retired Teachers’ Association.

Shirley is survived by her son, Richard Alan “Rick” Haffner.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Jack R. Haffner on May 31, 1993 and David C. Chase on January 15, 2022, her daughter Jeanne Hamm, her brother Alan Yates, and her sisters Betty Best and Lorraine Anderson.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 11AM at St. Ann's Church, 503 W. Jackson St., Woodstock, IL 60098. 

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