Shirley (Ferrari) Ernst

Shirley (Ferrari) (White) Ernst, age 90, of Litchfield, IL,  passed away Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at Litchfield Health and Rehab Center.

She worked for a number of years at the Brown Shoe Factory in Litchfield and Ball Brothers in Hillsboro.  She was the site supervisor for Golden Circle Nutrition Program for Senior Citizens in Litchfield, IL for 25 years until she retired in 2003.  She enjoyed going to auctions to collect antiques and costume jewelry. In her spare time, Shirley enjoyed driving around in her car, scratching off lottery tickets, and going to the boat with family and friends. 

Shirley was born on October 25th, 1933, in Litchfield, IL to James and Mary Eileen Ferrari. She married Ernest L. White on September 30, 1950, and they had seven children together.  They later divorced. She married George Ernst on June 22, 1984, and they later divorced.

She is survived by six of her  children; Ernest (Janet) White of Litchfield, IL, Peggy Himstedt of Litchfield, IL, Tammy (Steve) Mowry of Arkansas, Sabina (Dan) Webster of Litchfield, Kelly (Lisa) White of Litchfield, and Marijane (Mike) Zimmerman of Alabama.  She is survived by 17 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She is survived by her siblings Virginia Ewing of Florida and Ronald Ferrari of Georgia. 

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents James and Mary Eileen Ferrari of Litchfield, son Gary White of Litchfield, and sisters Juanita Young of Litchfield and Rosie Hurd of Pontiac.

Memorials can be made to the Litchfield Food Pantry. 

Visitation will be held Monday, July 15, 2024 from 1:00-2:00 pm at Litchfield Family Funeral Service at 700 South State Street, Litchfield, IL.
Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm at the funeral home.

Burial will take place at Elm Lawn Cemetery. 

Please visit www.litchfieldffs.com to leave condolences or light a candle in her memory.

Litchfield Family Funeral Services is assisting the family with arrangements.

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