Shirley Jean “Lee” Nettnin passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on Saturday, February 18, 2017, at the age of 88 at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, IL.

She was born in Chicago, IL on August 17, 1928 to Sylvan and Myrtle Rohrer. She was an only child. She and her parents lived in the Chicago area where she graduated from high school. She attended Purdue University and met the love of her life, Leonard “Len” Nettnin. They were married in Covington, KY and had three children, Terry Ann, Lynn and Jeff.

Lee’s husband was a naval officer and they were stationed throughout the United States and in Yokosuka, Japan. Lee was the keystone of her family at many times during her husband’s career; he was deployed aboard ship for months at a time.

Len’s last duty station was head of the NROTC department at the University of Illinois in Champaign and while there, Lee became interested in working with the new Women’s Program at Parkland College. She worked as a volunteer for several years and enjoyed it so much, she attended Eastern Illinois University and finished her bachelor’s degree and obtained her Master’s Degree in Counseling. She eventually became head of the Women’s Program at Parkland and later worked as a guidance counselor for many years until she retired in 1994.

Lee enjoyed doing family genealogy and until very recently would drive to Salt Lake City every year to obtain more information. She was very involved with the Historical Genealogical Society. Lee was a wonderful cook and hostess.

She was a member of Faith United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.

She is survived by her daughter, Terry and her husband, Rodney Harne, of Chocowinity, her son, Lynn and his wife, Theresa, of Manteo, NC, and her son Jeff and his wife, Faith, of Chatham, VA; four grandchildren, Kelly, Beth, Jarrett and Kathleen Nettnin.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2017 at Morgan Memorial Home, 1304 Regency Drive West, Savoy, IL.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Faith United Methodist Church, 1719 S. Prospect, Champaign, IL. Pastor Shane Smith will officiate.

Lee will be interred with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery.

Condolences may be made at www.morganmemorialhome.com.