Shirley E. Willig
Princeton
Shirley Eleanor Willig, 81, longtime Princeton resident, passed away Wednesday evening, November 19, 2014 at the Eastwood Nursing Center where she had resided since January, 2014.
Shirley was born December 20, 1932 in Princeton to Onni and Jenni (Maki) Ketola and graduated from Gwinn High School, Class of 1950. Following high school she worked as a secretary for the Gwinn Schools, and then she was employed as a clerk for the St. Vincent De Paul Society for 15 years.
Mrs. Willig was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Gwinn and was a lifelong member of the Gwinn VFW Women’s Auxiliary. In her free time she enjoyed reading, baking, and was well known for weaving beautiful rugs with her loom. Shirley also loved listening to music, especially old country songs. There are many happy memories of family and friends singing and playing guitar around the campfire. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, and everyone was always welcome in her home. Shirley will always be remembered for her kindness.
Surviving are 2 daughters: Gail (Gary) Rasanen of Richmond Township and Kathy (John) Macario of Gwinn; her son, John (Leslie) Willig of Gwinn; 5 grandchildren: Kristy (Jim) Bell, Nick D’Ambrosio, and Alex (Danielle), Rachel and Michael Willig; 2 great-grandchildren, Olivia Wonch and Caleb Bell; 5 sisters: Elaine Ellman, Lois (Jack) Thurston, Sheila (John) Rastello, Mavis (Bob) Jancsi and Ruth (Jay) Crist, all of Gwinn; her brother, Paul (Karen) Ketola of Princeton; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; and a special friend, Marvin Myllymaki. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband John Willig on August 13, 1989; a sister, Nancy Paris; and 3 brothers: Gerald, Richard and Kenny Ketola.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm on Monday, November 24th at Grace Lutheran Church with Rev. Rell Spickerman officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends from 11:00 am until the time of services at 1:00 pm at the church on Monday, and also at a luncheon in the church hall immediately following the funeral service. Burial will be in Bakkala Cemetery. Shirley’s nephews will serve as pallbearers.
The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Catherine Kroll and the staff at the Eastwood Nursing Center for their compassionate care given to Shirley, and also to the many family members who helped in numerous ways which allowed her to continue living at home prior to moving to the nursing home.
Mrs. Willig’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com, where memories and condolences may be shared.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of SHIRLEY ELEANOR WILLIG (Ketola), please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.