Shirley Ann Links

Shirley Ann Links, of Carlyle passed away on Saturday, October 26, 2019 at St. Louis University Hospital at the age of 81. She was born in Breese on April 22, 1938, the daughter of Paul and Dorothy (Weise) Junker. She married her husband of 63 years, Benjamin F. “Benny” Links on October 9, 1956, and he survives in Carlyle.

In addition to her husband, Shirley is survived by two daughters: Debbie Gates and husband Kevin, and Phyllis Wilkinson and husband Kirk all of Carlyle; her grandchildren: Brent Gates and wife Megan, Kayla Crippen and husband Bob, Kara Culpepper and husband Aaron, and Tyler Wilkinson and wife Clarissa; her great grandchildren: Delayne Rose Wilkinson, Isabella Renee Crippen, Natalie Reagen Gates, Noah Robert Crippen, and Baby Gates who is expected in January 2020; and a sister, Patricia “Patsy” Barackman.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father, as well as two infant granddaughters who passed at birth: Kari Gates and Emma Gates.

Shirley was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle. She enjoyed working on crafts, quilting, embroidering, and spending time working outside and in the garden. She was a great cook, she read many cook books and liked cooking and baking the new recipes she would discover. Shirley cherished her family and loved spending time with them.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 31, 2019 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Carlyle with Fr. George Mauck officiating. Private interment will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 until 8:00 PM on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, and on Thursday from 8:00 until 9:30 AM at Nordike Funeral Home in Carlyle.

Memorials made in memory of Shirley are suggested to the charity of donor’s choice and will be received at Nordike Funeral Home, 740 Fairfax Street, in Carlyle.