Thelma Shesler

Thelma Marie Bailey Shesler, 85, of Rockford, IL, formerly of Elgin, IL, died September 14, 2011.
She was born August 7, 1926, in Lecompte, LA the daughter of William Alfred and Lela (Melder) Bailey.
Following graduation from Forest Hill LA High School in May 1945, she enrolled in the dental assistants training program at the nearby United States Army Base at Camp Claiborne, LA.
She was employed as a civilian dental assistant at the base dental clinic in the oral surgery department and was later transferred to the clinical restorative dentistry department and assigned to 1 st Lt. John Shesler.
After transferring to the Fort Sam Houston Military Base, San Antonio, TX, she and Lt. Shesler were married on April 10, 1946 in New Braunfels, TX.
During her husbands overseas duty in the European theater in Germany, she resided with her parents.
Upon her husbands return to the States in late December of 1946, they traveled to Elgin, IL with their infant daughter, Beverly Ann.
A son John and daughter Juanita were born in Elgin.
Survivors include her beloved husband John W. Shesler, daughters Beverly Ann (Jerry) Manypenny of Osprey, FL, Juanita Marie (Jim) Barnes of Cherry Valley, IL, son, John Bailey Shesler of Almond, WI, granddaughters, Jamie Marie (Ryan) Spears of Roscoe, IL, Jill Louise Barnes of Cherry Valley, IL and sister, Jean Lane of Houston, TX.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, Louise McFarland, Leoda Mondrick and Gertrude Sweeney and four brothers, LC, Kenneth, Frank and Croker Bailey.
Visitation will be 10 11 am Monday, September 19, 2011, with services following at 11:00 am at Fitzgerald Funeral Home Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford, Rockford, IL 61108.
Burial will be at 2pm at Bluff City Cemetery, Elgin, IL.
Special thanks to the staff at Anam Care.
Memorial donations may be made to Anam Care Memorial Gardens, 8104 Sayer Road, Rockford, IL 61108 or the Alzheimers Association, 1111 S. Alpine Road, Rockford, IL 61108.
Online tributes at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.