Shirley A. Seelye

Shirley Annette Seelye, 77, of rural Manito, passed away peacefully on November 28, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones and under the compassionate care of the staff at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home. Shirley was born on February 7, 1948 to Ralph Ryals Sr. and Lola Maddie Gallagher Ryals.

Shirley graduated from Yulee–Fernandina Beach High School, FL in 1966. She married the love of her life, Darrell Seelye, on November 22, 1974, and together they built an amazing life full of laughter, joy, and love.

Shirley’s greatest pride and joy came from the family she and Darrell built. She is survived by her husband Darrell Seelye, sons Scott (Paula) Seelye of Lorena, TX; Bill (Meagan) Seelye of Pleasanton, TX; Josh (Brandee) Seelye of Brimfield, IL; Jason Seelye (Kate Malley) of St. Charles, IL; fourteen grandchildren—Billy, Lauren, Kaitlyn, Joshua, Noah, Austin, Bailee, Madison, Connor, Tanner, Wyatt, Parker, Kendall, Payton—who lovingly knew her as Me-Maw; one great grandchild Owen and another on the way. She is also survived by her sisters Beth Murray, Linda Little, Patricia Rozier, Robin French (all of FL); and brothers James Ryals (GA), Wayne Groover (ID), and Charles Groover (FL).

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Karla Seelye; parents, Ralph Ryals Sr. and Lillian Groover Ryals and Lola Maddie Gallagher Ryals; her grandparents Jordan and Ida Ryals, and Charles and Maddie Gallagher; and one brother, Ralph Ryals Jr.

In her younger years, Shirley worked at Blue Cross/Blue Shield as a coder and at Kemper Insurance as a transcriptionist. She spent most of her adult life as a devoted homemaker, lovingly caring for her family and raising five children and one grandchild, Noah.

She was a past member and held various offices in many organizations including the Peoria and Pekin Mothers of Twins Club, Tremont Mothers Club, Tremont Mothers Club Bowling League, Pekin Mothers Bowling League, the Pekin Boat Club Boatin’ Belles, and the Pekin Boat Club Bowling League.

More recently, she was a dedicated Tai Chi student at the Pekin YMCA and an active member and officer of the Garden & Thyme Garden Club of Manito as well as the Pekin Hoe and Hope Garden Club.

Shirley loved traveling, reading, watching movies, bowling, exercising, playing cards, watching musicals, attending plays and concerts, gardening, soaking up the sunshine, and spending time with her husband. Shirley especially enjoyed her visits to Florida for her sister trips and adored going out to lunch with her many friends, but most of all, she cherished time with her children and grandchildren.

Shirley will be remembered for her kind and caring personality. She was the glue that kept the family together and will be greatly missed by all that knew her.

Her visitation will be Saturday, December 6th from 10:00am - 12:00pm with funeral services immediately following at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory in Pekin with Pastor Barnes officiating. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial donations can be made in Shirley’s name to the Richard L Owens Hospice Home, American Cancer Society, Whitney's Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness, or Illinois River Valley Special Recreation Association (IRVSRA).