Shirley Ann Launer, 91, of Springfield, IL, and formerly of Virginia, IL, died Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Springfield Memorial Hospital.

She was born December 26, 1933, in Jacksonville, the daughter of James F. and Beatrice (Morris) Parker. Shirley married Ernest (Ernie) E. Launer on September 8, 1953, in Ft. Bliss, TX, and he preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughters, Marcia Stratton of Springfield and Jeannine "Jeannie" Cox (Michael) of Virginia; four grandchildren, Ryan Stratton, Erin Moe (Andrew), Andrew "Drew" Cox (Brooke and her two children, Jonessa and Graham), and Tyler Cox (Tiffany); and four great grandchildren, Atley and Lainey Cox and McKenzie and Eva Moe. She is also survived by Joanne Anderson of Virginia, Ernie's sister, as she thought of his family as her own.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a brother in infancy; son-in-law, David "Dave" Stratton; aunt, Mary Jane Morris, who she helped care for; and Ernie's sisters, Norma Sweatman and Jane Webster.

Shirley graduated from Bluffs High School in 1951 and Passavant School of Nursing in 1954. She worked as the office nurse for Drs. Auner and Vincent for thirteen years.

Mrs. Launer was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Bluff Springs, where she was a member of the ELCA Women's Committee. She was a charter member of the Virginia Junior Women's Club, a member of the Cass County Homemakers and Cass-Schuyler Habitat for Humanity. She was a former chairman of the Virginia BBQ committee.

Shirley and Ernie loved buying and dealing in antiques. Shirley and Ernie enjoyed wintering in Naples, FL for over 25 years. She especially loved spending time with her great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, January 30, 2025, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bluff Springs, with burial to follow at Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Virginia. The family will meet friends from 11:00 AM until the time of service. Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Virginia is in charge of the arrangements.