Maureen Shepard

Maureen F. Shepard (Wipert), 70, of Chillicothe, IL passed away September 9, 2021 at UnityPoint Methodist Hospital in Peoria.  Maureen was born April 16, 1951 in Peoria County to Earl and Rosemary (Smith) Wipert.  She married Gary Shepard on December 26, 1972 in Mossville, IL.  He survives.  Also surviving are one son, Beau  (Amanda) Shepard of Chillicothe, IL; two daughters, Neele (Kevin) Zanni of Medinah, IL and Elaena (Zach) Volpe of Westfir, OR; one brother Steven (Kathy) Wipert of Hartland, WI; six grandchildren, Odin Volpe, Kendall Zanni, Sophia Shepard, Piper Zanni, Rowen Volpe and Ryder Zanni.  She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Linda (Bill) Kozar.

Maureen graduated from IVC High School in 1969.  She attended Illinois State University in Normal, IL where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Education.  She started teaching at Jamieson School in Peoria in 1973.  She taught special education at the high school and elementary school in the IVC school district starting in 1987 and retiring in 2011.  All her life she was devoted to her children and grandchildren.  She enjoyed gardening, hiking, reading, cooking, farm life and traveling by train and motorcycle.  She was an active member of the gym at Pearce Community Center.  She loved to decorate for the seasons and holidays and take pictures of landscapes.  Her high school friends, sorority sisters and gym buddies at Pearce were very special to her.

A visitation will be held at Weber Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe, IL on Saturday Sept 18 from 11am to 1pm.  A celebration of life will be held at the VFW in Chillicothe following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maureen F. Shepard, please visit our floral store.