Shirley V. Mize Todd

Shirley Mize Todd, 100, of Belleville, Illinois passed away peacefully on May 8, 2025. She was born April 13, 1925, in Bisbee, AZ, and spent her childhood in Tuscon, AZ where she graduated from St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy in 1943.

In 1944, at the age of 19, Shirley proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy WAVES alongside her best friend Peggy Hurley. Upon completion of Yoeman training, she was sent to a Navy supply depot in Clearfield, UT, where she met her husband, Bob Mize. They were married on August 24, 1946, in Colorado Springs, and began a lifelong journey together.

Shirley and Bob started their family in Staten Island, NY where she worked at Halloran General Hospital before dedicating herself to raising their two sons, Robbie and John. They moved to St. Louis, MO and settled in Belleville, IL in 1960.

Never one to stop learning, Shirley earned her college degree in 1969 from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and became a 5th grade teacher for Belleville District 118 at Jefferson School in Belleville, IL for 20 years. Her dedication to education and her students left a lasting legacy.

Shirley and Bob most cherished their time spent with family, attending their grandchildren’s events and birthdays, dancing at the Elks, and camping with their Kickapoo Camper group. She was a longtime member of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belleville, where she served faithfully in the food pantry. Shirley was physically active hiking and biking well into her 80’s. She also enjoyed attending live performances with friends at Stages Theatre in St. Louis.

After a love filled 54 years of marriage, Bob passed with Shirley by his side. In 2002 Shirley married Charles Todd, a fellow St. George’s member, whom she met while volunteering at Toddhall Retreat Center. Together, they spent 9 years living life to its fullest, including traveling to Costa Rica and enjoying a memorable cruise and train tour through Alaska, until his passing in 2011.

In 2012 Shirley moved to the Shrine Apartments, where she formed many cherished friendships over the next decade. In 2024 she moved to Oak Hill Nursing home in Waterloo, IL and she joyfully celebrated her 100th Birthday surrounded by family and friends on April 13, 2025.

Shirley is lovingly survived by her two sons, Robbie (Stacie) Mize of Millstadt, IL, John (Kelei) Mize of St. Louis, MO, and grandchildren, Jessica (Shawn) Dow, Ashley (Jonn) Graff, Robert Mize, Johnny Mize, and great grandchildren, Brendan Dow, Preston Dow, Haiden Dow, Tory Graff, Maddie Graff, and Jordan Graff, and extended family Philip and Bronwyn Baer, Zoei, Shawn, Scarlette and Sylvia Kinney, Parker Thellman, and Zachary Thellman.

Shirley was preceded in death by her husband(s) Robert (Bob) Mize (deceased September 11, 2000), Charles Todd (deceased April 8, 2011), her father, Kenneth Flanders and her mother, Edna McCarthy.

A proud member of the Greatest Generation, Shirley lived thru the Great Depression, served in World War II, raised a family, shaped young minds as an educator, and filled her loved ones with unwavering love, grace, and wisdom. She was the matriarch of her family and a beacon of strength and kindness to all who knew her.

She will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be May 31, 2025, 1pm at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Belleville, IL. The funeral will follow 2pm. Directly following the service will be a time to gather and celebrate Shirley’s life in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial donations may be made to Toddhall Retreat Center, 320 Todd Center Dr., Columbia, IL. 62236.