Shirley L. Wells Rippy, 90, of Galesburg, IL, died at 9:00 AM Wednesday, August 03, 2011 at her home. She was born on September 21, 1920 in Dahinda Illinois, the daughter of Tom and Meta Pennington Collopy. She married Kermit Wells on April 03, 1939 in Palmyra, Missouri. He preceded her death. She later married James Rippy of Farmington. He preceded her in death.

She is survived by her two daughters Judith Hanson of Galesburg and Mary (Ben) Sieg of Galesburg, Step Daughter Hazel (Jerry) Brown of London Mills, Grandchildren Matt Hanson, Shannon Nelson, Julie (Dirk) Jordan, John (Nicole) Sieg, Step Grandchildren Stacy (Kyle) Cecil and Layne (Becky) Brown. She is also survived by her Great Grandchildren Sarah and Emily Hanson, Tanner Wynes, CeCe and Janie Jordan, Grace, Lily and Ben Nelson, and Koren Sieg and also an expected Grandbaby boy Sieg in September, Step-Great Grandchildren Hannah and Kenneth Cecil. Also many beloved nieces and nephews and a special care giver and wonderful friend Barbara Turbett.

She graduated from Williamsfield High School and later attended Illinois State University for two years and then was a teacher for two years in Knox County rural schools. She was employed at OMC Gale Products, First Midwest Bank in Knoxville and Gale Ward Sporting Goods. She lived in the Dahinda area for about 60 years of her life and was active in the Dahinda Methodist Church.

Visitation will be Friday, August 5, 2011 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville. Funeral Service will be Saturday, August 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Home in Knoxville. Burial will be at the Gilson Cemetery, in Gilson, Illinois. Memorials may be left to Dahinda Methodist Church or to St Jude's Children's Hospital. Online condolences and sympathy cards may be made at www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.