Shirley M. Karalus, 87, of Huntley, a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, peacefully left this world on June 9, 2022, with her children by her side.
She was born to Anthony and Anna Greco on June 22, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois and grew up there, graduating from St. Michael Central High School. In 1956 she married George Karalus and the couple made their home in Des Plaines and later Arlington Heights for 29 years. After retirement, they lived in Cary and Huntley. Shirley and George were ‘winter Texans’ escaping Chicago’s cold winter for the warm weather at their home in Pharr, Texas.
Once all her children were in school, Shirley joined AMCA as a secretary where she worked over 20 years until retirement. Anyone who knew Shirley knew of her love for sewing, cats, trips to Hawaii, warm weather, and bargain hunting. Many of her bargains were found at The Sparrow’s Nest in Cary, where she worked many years as a volunteer.
Shirley is survived and missed greatly by her four children: David (Kim) Karalus of Klamath Falls, OR, Donna (Steven) Johnson of Crystal Lake, IL, Paula Karalus of Flower Mound, TX, Neal (Renee) Karalus of Manhattan, IL; nine grandchildren: Stephanie (Alan) White, Mark (Cori) Karalus, Amber (Justin) Idstein, Kyle (Brittani) Johnson, Quinn Johnson, Kelsey Karalus, Emily Karalus, Jenna Hauck, Sarah Hauck and four great grandchildren: Autumn (Samuel) Cutting, Mia Idstein, Rebecca Johnson and Mack Idstein, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. She is preceded in death by her husband George, her sister Margaret Roeber, and her brother in-law George Roeber.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church of Gilberts, 18N377 Galligan Road, Dundee, IL 60118. Everyone is invited to join the family at a luncheon, which will be served immediately following the memorial service at church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Shirley’s name can be made to the no-kill shelter where she adopted her beloved cat, Candee: Animal House Shelter, 13005 Ernesti Rd, Huntley, IL 60142 or www.animalhouseshelter.com/donate.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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My prayers are with your family.
Gary and I send our love and condolences, and prayers for your comfort. Aunt Shirley (and Uncle George) were always very kind toward me, from the beginning when Gary and I started dating. I remember our first time going to Aunt Carol’s at Christmas (‘74) and looking at their Hawaii trip slide show.
Mom and I send our love and prayers to all of you. We will attending the service on Saturday. Mom remembers fondly how Uncle George and Aunt Shirley always took care of her and Uncle Den.