Shirley Burkholder

Shirley A. Burkholder, 82, of Platteville died on Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center, Dubuque after a brief illness with her family at her side. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery, Platteville. Friends may call from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 2016 at the Melby Funeral Home & Crematory or after 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service on Monday. Memorials may be made to the Shirley A. Burkholder Memorial Fund. Online condolences can be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Shirley was born on December 24, 1933 in Ellenboro Township, Grant County, daughter of Edward and Hazel (Raine) Woolf. She was united in marriage to James A. Burkholder on June 15, 1951 at the Lutheran Church of Peace, Platteville. Jim preceded her in death on November 9, 2000. Shirley worked for 25 years at Secco in Lancaster, Wisconsin. After that she worked for over 8 years at Ray-O-Vac and then at Heartland Health Care until she retired. She liked to read, knit, crochet, and go gambling. In the spring of 2001 Shirley moved to Jenor Towers, Platteville where she was referred to as the “maintenance lady of Jenor Towers”, always lending a helping hand when needed. Shirley especially enjoyed her time with her children and all of her grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her five children, Clifford (Kara) Burkholder of Cedar Rapids, IA; Deborah (Curt) Miller of Belmont, WI; Jeff (Eunice) Burkholder of Owasso, OK; Perry (Lisa) Burkholder of Camano Island, WA; Tammy (Bill) McFall of Rewey, WI; 15 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandson; three brothers, Terry (Dee) Woolf of Platteville; Dick (Carol) Woolf and David Woolf all of Dubuque; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two daughters, Peggy and Sandra in infancy, and one brother, John “Jack” Woolf.