Shirley Ann Ghere, 94, of Bettendorf, Iowa, passed away on December 24, 2024. She was born September 27, 1930 in Frankfort, Indiana to Ralph & Ellen (Bordner) Martin. Shirley graduated from Frankfort High School in 1948 and the following year, she married Clifford T. Ghere, Jr. Shirley and Cliff were able to celebrate (50) years of marriage before the passing of Cliff in March 2000.
Shirley loved to travel. Starting in 1962 and for the following (20) years, Shirley and Cliff with their (4) kids went camping for two weeks each summer. These treasured trips consisted of hikes, horseback riding, white water r
afting, and sightseeing within state parks, national parks, and national forests plus visits to historical sites and museums. Mostly the trips were in the western mountains of the continental United States and Canada to get out of the summer heat. Later in life, Shirley traveled with her children and grandchildren to Hawaii, Alaska, France, Monaco, Italy and Switzerland.
Shirley was a superb mother. Family was very important to her, and she enjoyed nothing more than spending quality time with loved ones. This included playing bridge and euchre, two favorite card games, or attending her kids’ athletic games, dance and singing recitals, or preparing and sharing a family meal together. Shirley and Cliff created a loving, supportive, and safe environment for their children.
Those left to honor her memory are her children: Sally (Richard) Mohler, Sheree Ghere and Gary (Juanita) Ghere; grandchildren: Christopher Mohler, Megan Mohler (Josh Wilson), Kristy Ghere, Ashley Ghere, Alexander Ghere and Caitlin Ghere; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, spouse, daughter, Cynthia Ghere and siblings, Marilyn Mitchell, Jean Deardorff, James Martin and Thomas Martin.
Visitation will be 9 ~ 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 600 St. Mary’s Ave., Frankfort. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be in Bunnell Cemetery, Frankfort. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to GiGi’s Playhouse Quad Cities, 3906 38th Ave., Molene, IL 61265. GiGi’s Playhouses are an international network of Down Syndrome Achievement Centers providing educational and therapeutic services free of charge to individuals with Down Syndrome and their families. Once a Playhouse opened in the Quad Cities in October 2011, Shirley made a generous donation each year. (To donate online, go to gigisplayhouse.org/quadcities. Designate the contribution is being made in memory of Shirley Ghere.)
Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort is assisting the family with arrangements. To share memories of Shirley, please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com.