Mary Lou Shea, 86, Springfield

Mary Lou Shea, PhD, 86, of Springfield, died at 7:21 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Regency Care in Springfield. She had been in hospice due to advanced dementia.

Mary Lou was born August 29, 1937, in Brownstown, IL, the daughter of Darrel and Mildred Washburn Doehring. She married Raymond John Shea on March 1, 1958, in Vandalia, IL; he preceded her in death on December 20, 2012.

Mary Lou earned her doctorate degree in Vocational Education. She was employed as a nurse and then later as a teacher.

She was also preceded in death by her parents and brother, Lyle Doehring.

Mary Lou is survived by her daughter, Laura (Gary Lamsargis) Shea, M.D. of Springfield; sons, Eric (Dyandra) Shea of Lake Orion, MI and Darrel (Heather) Shea of Mulberry, FL; grandchildren, Grant (Brittney) Shea and Hannah (Todd) Poitras, both of Springfield, and River Shea of Lake Orion, MI; four great-grandchildren; siblings, Sonny (Cindy) Doehring of Birmingham, AL, Chuck (Linda) Doehring of Brownstown, IL, and Nancy (Doug) Doehring of Lakeland, FL; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cremation was provided by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 – 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 12, 2023 at Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.

Graveside Ceremony: 10:00 am on Friday, October 13, 2023 at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, c/o SIU Medicine, 751 N. Rutledge St. Suite 3100, Springfield, IL 62702.

Please visit butlerfuneralhomes.com to offer your condolences.