Shirley S. Wilkie (Sherlock)

December 19th, 1937 – January 30th, 2024

Shirley S. Wilkie was born on December 19th, 1937, Toston, Montana.  Born the 11th child of 13 brothers and sisters, Shirley had a wonderful childhood growing up in Toston, Townsend, and Helena, Montana as the daughter of a rancher and homemaker.  She was called upon to babysit her nieces and nephews and helped with her younger siblings.  Shirley excelled in academics and homemaking while in school—sewing and modeling her new fashions!  She loved sharing the stories of her life growing up in Helena and showing family the homes, she lived in and the places she frequented.  Shirley worked as a telephone operator and easter candy decorator in her early high school years as well.

Shirley married Napoleon (Tony) A. Wilkie, Jr., on April 23rd, 1957, in Boulder, Montana.  As a couple they traveled the world as part of the United States Air Force.  Traveling to exotic places like Seville, Spain, Clark Air Base, Luzon Island, Philippines, and places closer to Montana; Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, Fairchild and McChord AFB's, Washington, Grand Forks and Minot AFBs, North Dakota.  Shirley was the rock of the family, making sure they all transferred to their new stations safely and set up the new home without missing a beat.   They had four children, Lawrence Wilkie (Susan), Napoleon Wilkie III (Violet), Katherine Platter (William) and Chris Wilkie (1966-2022) (Dawn).

When her youngest was school age, she had some miscellaneous jobs working in retail, but then began her career as a civil servant for the US Air Force from a cashier at the base commissary to telephone operator and became the well-respected "Operator 10" at McChord AFB.  Shirley reached out for another promotion as an Inspector for base housing—receiving many accolades and awards.

Shirley and Tony handed in their working hats and became full time travelers.  They explored the southern states, but always ended up parking their motorhome at one of their children's homes.  She truly enjoyed spending time with family—especially the grandchildren.

Shirley is survived by her daughter, Katherine (William) Platter and sons Lawrence (Susan) Wilkie and Napoleon III (Violet); siblings Donald W. Sherlock, Jay B. Sherlock, and Evelyn Winkle; numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Napoleon A. Wilkie, Jr. (1935-2014); her youngest son, Chris Allen Wilkie (Dawn) (1966-2022); parents, Jonathan Wigmore Sherlock (1893-1977) and Mary Elizabeth "Mayme" Sherlock (1905-1955); siblings Gene H. Sherlock (1935-1973), Douglas L. Sherlock (1942-1979), Robert E. Sherlock (1929-1985), Raymond W. Sherlock (1923-1992), Thomas P. Sherlock (1926-2009), Laura J. Longaberger (1925-2011), Edward J. Sherlock (1927-2017), Clarence W. Sherlock (1922-2018) and Marjorie Goettle Garden (1932-2018).

A funeral liturgy will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, London, Ohio, on February 8th, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.  The Eberle-Fisher Funeral Home and Crematory, 103 N. Main St, London, Ohio will be handling arrangements.  www.eberlefisherfuneralhome.com.  Burial will be during the Spring 2024, Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, St. John, North Dakota.