Shirley Diveley

Shirley Eustice Diveley, known for her creativity, kindness and devotion to her family, died peacefully at her Danville home on September 3, 2014 after suffering a stroke. She was 88 years old. Mrs. Diveley and her husband, L.R. “Jocko” Diveley moved to Danville in 1949 and opened Jockos Root Beer on the Georgetown Road. A few years later, the couple built the first Putt Putt Golf Course in the northern US. In the late 1960s and early 1970s they opened Famous Recipe Chicken (Lees) and Jockos Pizza Inn at Gilbert and Williams. Mrs. Diveley played an essential role at Diveley Development Cooperation participating in design, research and development and special projects. Born Shirley Luella Eustice in Wheaton, Illinois on February 22, 1926, she was raised in Galena, Illinois and graduated from Galena High School in 1943. During World War II, she worked at Singer Company in Dubuque, Iowa where she taught classes in custom tailoring. Married in 1945, Shirley and her husband, Jocko, were together for nearly 65 years. Mrs. Diveley was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, brother, and her husband. She is survived by her three children, Sandra Batmangelich (John E. Woods) of Oak Park, IL, Vicki Diveley of McCoy, CO and Steve Diveley (Lee Ann Allen) of Danville; two sisters, Eileen Andrews of Levittown, PA and Karen Powell (Danny) of Danville; and four grandchildren, Ramsey Batmangelich of Chicago, Lauren Diveley of Ft. Collins, CO, and Heather and Natalie Diveley, both of Danville. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and The P.E.O. Sisterhood, Chapter KE and was a past member of the Danville Garden Club (Camilla Circle), Danville Art League, Danville Country Club and the Boat Club. Mrs. Diveley leaves a creative legacy of paintings, water colors, drawings, sculpture, cookbook covers and textiles. In her last decade, dementia dimmed her creative abilities but did not diminish her love of beauty or eye for fashion. Remaining in her home of over 50 years was made possible by a caring and dedicated group of individuals. The Diveley family is grateful for caregivers, both past and present, who have shown their love, care and devotion to Shirley. The family would also like to thank Carle Hospice who comforted her in the final days of her life. Visitation is from 4-7 pm. on Monday, September 8, 2014 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, A Life Celebration Home, 3940 N. Vermilion Street, Danville. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, September 9, 2014 (Short visitation 9:30 am) at Trinity Lutheran Church, 824 E. Main St., Danville, followed by interment in Sunset Memorial Park. The family requests that memorials be given to the Danville Art League (320 N. Franklin St. Danville, IL 61832) or Danville Lutheran School Scholarship Fund (1930 N. Bowman Ave., Danville, IL 61832).