Shirley Mae Brown

Shirley Mae Brown of Harvard, IL passed away peacefully at the age of 87 on December 13, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Shirley was born on April 2, 1938, in Rockford, IL, the daughter of Emil and Calla (Bonde) Strubing. At age 9, she moved with her family to Harvard, IL.

On August 4, 1956, Shirley married Bobby Ray Brown in Harvard, IL. Shirley was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Harvard. She enjoyed volunteering within the church and with Girl Scouts. She was involved with the PTA and a classroom mom while her children were in school.  

Shirley liked going to auctions with Bob and looking for antiques and adding to her beautiful collection of dolls. Shirley loved baseball and delighted in watching Cardinals games with Bob. She was an avid reader and enjoyed crocheting and knitting. Shirley loved playing Yahtzee and Apples to Apples with her grandkids, even if she didn’t get the references half the time. Shirley loved doing her “scratchers” and shared that fondness with her grandchildren. She enjoyed going on road trips with Judi to visit grandkids and cherished time spent with them. Shirley adored cats and all things feline. Shirley treasured her Burger King morning coffee time spent with Bev. Faith and family were most important to Shirley and her love and devotion to others will forever be remembered.

Shirley is survived by her children Patricia Kohl of Petersburg, TN, Jerry (Susan) Brown of Willow Springs, MO, Sandra (Mike) Luerssen of Cabool, MO, Melissa (Chad) Oerkfitz of Harvard, IL, and Sara (Tom) Long of Cabool, MO; 20 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in law Joan Strubing of St. Louis, MO, Lola Mae Brown of Hocomo, MO, Betty Johnston of Bakersfield, MO, and Evelyn Smith of Tennessee.

She was reunited in death with her husband Bob, her brother Norman Strubing, son-in-law Barry Kohl, and grandson Royce Ray Oerkfitz.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 8 PM on Friday, December 19, 2025, at Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home, 107 W. Sumner St., Harvard, IL 60033. Funeral service will be at 11 AM on Saturday, December 20, 2025, at First United Methodist Church of Harvard, 1100 N. Division St., Harvard, IL 60033. Interment to follow at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Shirley's family would like to thank the staff at Journey Care in Barrington for the Christian love and kindness they have shown, bringing peace and a calm that passes all understanding throughout this difficult journey. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Shirley’s honor to the First United Methodist Church of Harvard.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.saundersmcfarlin.net

For more information, call Saunders & McFarlin Funeral Home at 815-943-5400.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.