Shirley Jean Rull, 89, of Litchfield, died on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at 11:25 p.m. at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.
Visitation will be held Friday, Feb. 10, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Plummer Funeral Home in Litchfield. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 11, beginning at 11 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cahokia Township. Burial will follow at Mt. Olive City Cemetery.
Mrs. Rull was born Jan. 19, 1934, in Litchfield, the only child of William Youell and Oma (Compton) Small. She married Norman W. Rull on Nov. 15, 1953, at St. Timothy United Methodist Church in Litchfield, and he preceded her in death.
She attended Litchfield schools and graduated from Litchfield High School with the class of 1951. She was proudly crowned May Queen of her class.
After graduation, Mrs. Rull worked briefly for the Litchfield Creamery until her marriage. Then, she and her husband farmed together for 58 years.
She loved her home in the country where she worked tirelessly with her husband on the farm. She loved to garden, read, cook, oil paint and host all family holiday gatherings. Her home was cherished by her family and was always warm and welcoming.
Mrs. Rull loved to bowl. Later in life, she enjoyed visiting with patients at Dr. Richard Guyan’s optometrist office, where she worked part-time until Dr. Guyan’s retirement.
She was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Cahokia Township, where she served in many capacities with the Ladies Aid Bible Study and sang in the choir. She enjoyed her card clubs and monthly widows luncheon group. She had faithfully kept a daily diary since 1953 that family could refer back to for all life events.
Mrs. Rull was an amazing wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, loved dearly by her family, and always had a kind word and gentle smile for all.
She is survived by her son, Jeffrey (Laura) Rull of Litchfield; daughters, Jane (Bill) Warren of Staunton and Julie (Mike) Griffith of Carlinville; six grandchildren, Carrie (Ben) Hemken, Kurt (Rebecca) Frerichs, Alex (fiance Rob Harmon) Rull, Jacob Rull, Ryan Griffith and Christian Griffith; stepdaughter, Nicole (Matt) Nowitzki; great-grandchild, Riley Hemken; and two nephews, Randy (Rhonda) Schwarz and Todd (Gayle) Beanblossom.
In addition to her beloved husband of 58 years, Mrs. Rull was preceded in death by her parents, William Youell Small and Oma Virginia (Compton) Small Day; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Arlene (Bob) Schwarz and Verna (Jesse) Beanblossom; and niece, Jan Schwarz.
Memorials may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Cahokia Township or Hearts United in Litchfield.
To light a candle or sign the online guestbook, visit www.plummerfuneralservices.com.
