Shirley Jean (Schilling) Buchanan fought the courageous battle with Alzheimer’s and passed away on January 3, 2022, with her Lord by her side at the age of 91.

She grew up in Waukegan, IL where she attended local schools and started her work at Johns Manville as a Secretary in the Engineering Department.  She enjoyed working with all the wonderful Engineers.

Shirley met the love of her life, the late Arthur (Art) Buchanan while he was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in North Chicago, IL.  They were married on November 20, 1954 and were blessed with 62 years of marriage.

Shirley took time off from work to raise their two children, Anne (Steve) Putterman and the late Kent Buchanan.  She later went back to work in many secretarial positions but ended her last 25 years with Tremper High School in Kenosha.  She has devoted many hours helping with projects along-side her late husband at the Kemper Center, CP golf outings and at the Kenosha Rotary Club.

Her love and joy were her grandsons and great-grandsons, Andrew Putterman, CJ Putermann, Matthew Putterman, Blake Buchanan and Ryan Schroeder; great-grandsons, Christian Schroeder and Chase Schroeder. Shirley was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend to all those who knew her.  Her kind heart touched so many she came in contact with and will be missed by so many, but her loving heart will live on within those who knew her.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Buchanan and son, Kent Buchanan.

Service Info

Funeral services honoring Shirley’s life will be held privately due to concerns with COVID.

Memorials may be directed to Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2100 75^th Street, Kenosha, WI 53144.