Shirley A. (Manchen) Rein

Shirley was the second of five children born to Frank and Ann (Sampiller) Manchen of Chicago, IL. She attended Ryerson Grade School and graduated from Lucy Flower High School in the East Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago. She then spent one year at Wright Jr. College where her ambition was to be a stewardess but later became afraid to fly. As she always said “feet do not leave the ground”!  After finishing school she worked full-time for Sears Roebuck & Co. on Homan in the billing department for 7 years. 

Shirley met Robert (Bob) Rein in 1949 and later married him on November 22, 1951. They moved to a basement flat in the city where the first of six children was born. In 1955 they decided to pack up and move to Glen Ellyn, IL where their second child was born soon after settling in. By 1961, four more children were added and life was busy. 

While raising her family, Shirley continued to work for Sears Roebuck & Co. on a part-time basis. For 27 1/2 years she worked in the catalog department first in Glen Ellyn and then in Carol Stream when the company moved. After leaving Sears, she took a part-time job at H & R Block as a receptionist for the next 30+ years. For many years she also served as an Election Judge in DuPage County. 

Shirley was a great cook making most meals from scratch. She used vegetables she grew in her garden and canned/preserved much of what was leftover. Many have enjoyed her homemade bread, biscuits and coffee cakes, strawberry jelly and her famous spaghetti and meatballs to name just a few specialties. 

When Shirley wasn’t busy working, taking care of six kids and cooking, she somehow found time to indulge her many interests. She took classes in woodworking, accounting, typing and even basic automotive repair. She also enjoyed many hobbies such as needlepoint, quilting, sewing, gardening, crosswords, genealogy senior bus trips and gave bowling a try.

Throughout her life Shirley nurtured and maintained many friendships. She stayed in touch with grade school pals, work friends, and her “Club” friends. Over the years she even remained in contact with a couple of the women she met in the maternity ward when bringing new life into the world. Shirley especially cherished her friendships that were made in her neighborhood over the last 67 years. She even forbid one neighbor from moving away when they mentioned relocating - to this day they still live there!

Shirley was a Mom, Grandma, Sister, cousin and Aunt to many nieces and nephews. She loved her family fiercely and was thrilled when they would come and visit. She always made sure everyone had something to eat at her house and loved the laughter & joy they brought her. 

Shirley will be remembered for her zest for life, love of animals and her devotion to Faith, family and friends. Lastly, she will be remembered by a select six for her lightening fast left hook, she could’ve been a contender!

Beloved wife of the late Robert L. Rein.

Mother of Walter, Joseph, Kevin, Mary (Grant), the late Brian and Kelly Dickey.

Devoted Grandmother of Rory & Jake Gallo, Rachel & Samantha Rein, Kim, Katelyn, Benjamin & Paige Rein, Billy (Celine) & Bobby Dickey and Michelle & Ronnie (Melissa) Baker.

Loving Sister of the late Robert (late Bertie) Manchen, the late Charles (late Charlane) Manchen, Francis (late Chickie) Manchen and the late Edward Manchen.

Sister-in-law of the late William (late Jean), the late Walter (Marion) Rein and the late Eleanor (Bruce) Bergendahl.

Aunt of many nieces & nephews and great nieces & nephews. 

Great Grandmother of Alex & Ryleigh Baker, Kobe Lorendo and Catherine Baker.

Visitation Wednesday, September 7th from 5-8 PM at Leonard Funeral Home, 565 Duane St. Glen Ellyn. Funeral Mass, Thursday, 10:30 AM at St. Matthew’s Church, 1555 Glen Ellyn Rd. Glendale Heights, IL. Internment Forest Hill Cemetery, Glen Ellyn.  Memorials to the American Cancer Society donate3.cancer.org,  American Heart Association heart.org/donate, or Search, Inc.https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=keystone&id=11 are appreciated.