Shirley Marie Everingham

CARBONDALE - Shirley Marie Everingham, 87, of Carbondale, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. She was born on May 15, 1937, to Eugene and Gladys Bilyeu, of Blue Island, IL.

After graduation from High School, Shirley attended Weslyan School of Nursing at Northwestern University in Chicago. After graduation, she went on to work as a nurse in various settings, including Doctors' offices, E.R.s and the V.A. Hospital in Marion, IL.

While attending Nursing school, Shirley met a fascinating man from New Jersey named George. He was in town working on the Tollway. They married and lived in New Jersey and Maine for a couple of years before moving to Southern Illinois so that George could attend SIU. Like so many others who have fallen in love with the area, they ended up staying and raising their two children, Laura and Alan.

In the 70's, Shirley was hired by John A. Logan College to create a Nursing program for the school. Her efforts resulted in Logan being continually ranked as one of the best Nursing schools in IL. She went on to teach there for 37 years.

Shirley was actively involved in making Southern IL a better place to live. She was on the advisory board which created the first Hospice program in the area. She and George were on the board which created the New School in Carbondale, and contributed much time and energy to various ministries of the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, including the "Spirit of Christmas" toy distribution, hosting children from the United Methodist Children's Home over holidays, and participation in the UMC Next task force, which seeks to make FUMC a welcoming place for LGBTQ+ individuals. Shirley was also active in the Steven Ministries program, offering support to many who are navigating rough waters, and was part of the Parish Nurse program for the community via the church to which they have belonged and served for over 60 years.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, George, on Aug. 31, 2021, her sister, Betty Davis of Carbondale, and her brother, Donald Bilyeu of Tinley Park, IL.

She is survived by her daughter, Laura Crites (David) of Valentine, NE; her son, Alan Everingham and grandson Gavin Everingham, both of Charlotte, NC; her granddaughters Christine Andersen (Adam) of Austin, TX, and Michelle Bowles (Patrick) of Ft. Collins, CO; her sister-in-law Paula Bilyeu of Minneapolis, MN; nieces: Brianne Bilyeu (Aaron) of Minneapolis, MN and Erin Bilyeu (Ralph) of Greenbelt, MD.

A Memorial Service hosted by the family for both Shirley and George will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 26th at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Carbondale, IL.