Shirley Binkley

Shirley Anne (Mills) Binkley of Vermilion Grove, Illinois passed away on June 2, 2020. She was born in Vermilion Grove on February 20, 1933 to Louise and Carl Mills. On December 15, 1952 she married Jerald E. Binkley.

Shirley attended Earlham College as an undergraduate student and then went on to receive a Masters Degree in Education. She taught fourth grade for many years at Ridge Farm Elementary School. She was a lifelong member of the Vermilion Grove Friends (Quaker) meeting. She was deeply committed to educating generations about Quakerism and served as a role model, mentor, and elder of the meeting throughout her lifetime. Shirley cherished and was proud of being able to manage the Binkley-Mills Centennial Farm and devoted much of her time and energy to staying up to date on current best practices regarding farming and nature conservancy.

Shirley was an adventurer and traveler. Over the years she enjoyed many trips with family and friends. She particularly enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren on the Gulf Coast, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and the Pacific Northwest.

She is survived by daughter Annette (Bret) Heim of Mobile, Alabama, son Jeff (Susan) Binkley of Hancock, Michigan, and daughter Amy (Loch) Chandler of Scappoose, Oregon. Also surviving are grandchildren: Adam Watkins, Josh (Brandi) Binkley, Emma (Paul) Binkley Frantti, Sylvia Binkley, Tavish Chandler, and Maizri Chandler and great grandchildren Henry Frantti and Emma-Leigh Binkley. Also survived by her sister, Pearle (Dave) Jeffries of Fairbury, IL. She is preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Louise Mills, her husband, Jerry Binkley, sister, Alice Mills Cornwell, sons, Jerry Carl and Steven Binkley, and great grandson Abram Binkley.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Her family was assisted by Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Georgetown, Illinois 200 E. West St. Georgetown, Illinois 61846. Memorial donations may be given in her name to Vermilion Grove Friends Church. Please join her family in sharing memories, photos, or record a personal video message to be sent to the family with Send Hugs at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.