Aileen M Sherline

Aileen M. Sherline Mattoon, IL – Frances “Aileen” Mitchell Sherline, returned to her heavenly home on October 24, 2016, surrounded by her family and friends. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief in God supported her and ultimately brought her peace. She passed along her love of Christ to her children, which helps guide them today. Aileen was born to the late James J. Mitchell and Bertha C. Mitchell in Stony Point, NC, July 14, 1932. She grew up in Stony Point, NC, near the beautiful Smokey Mountains, picking cotton, raising chickens, and attending a one room school house. Aileen was blessed with a large and loving family. She was the youngest of ten children with the four eldest being sisters, followed by five brothers and then Aileen. She is preceded in death by all of her siblings. Aileen graduated from Mitchell College in NC. After graduation she worked for the Federal Government in Washington, DC, as she joined several of her brothers and sisters who were already working there. While living in DC, she met her future husband and love of her life. A few years later, they moved to Illinois and were married. After raising her children, she decided to return to school and received her teaching degree from Eastern Illinois University. She taught Business Education in the Mattoon School District and the Sullivan School District for over twenty years. While at Sullivan, she sponsored the yearbook which won several national awards. Aileen was an educator at heart as she dedicated her later years to the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program where she taught her love of gardening to those who shared her passion. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Coles County. She attended the First Baptist Church of Mattoon where she taught both children and adult Sunday school. Aileen was known in the area as a true and humble servant. She cared for numerous people outside her family by baking, cooking, visiting, and taking care of other people’s needs. She was known to have special recipes for cookies, pies, salsa, sauces, and casseroles. She was also an original volunteer and served on the Mattoon BagelFest committee for over twenty years. Aileen was known to have a fresh garden tomato on every bagel she ate. She had many dear friends who she sang with, laughed with, and loved. Aileen married Harold “Albert” Sherline on August 3, 1956, in Springfield, Illinois. They recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. With Aileen being from North Carolina and Al from Maryland, their summer vacations were spent up and down the east coast with their families. They loved all the beaches from Myrtle Beach, SC, to Ocean City, MD. She also was a huge Chicago Cubs fan and was able to watch the Cubs win the National League Pennant and advance to the World Series this year. She helped nurture her children’s talents in music and sports and attended hundreds of concerts, sporting events, and other activities. Recently, she continued her support of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren by watching them participate in church, in school, and in sports. Aileen is survived by her husband, Al; her daughters, Dixie McQuality (Rod), and Lori Coady (Tim); her son, Chuck Sherline (Michelle); her grandchildren, Matt McQuality (Kelsey) of Avon, OH, Cara Kern (Nathaniel) of Chatham, IL, Tyler and Nathan Coady of Taylorville, IL, James and Sophia Sherline of Chicago, IL; and her great-grandchildren, Landon and Keegan McQuality of Avon, OH. A memorial service in her honor will begin at 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 28, 2016, at the First Baptist Church of Mattoon, with Reverend Dennis Strawn officiating. A Celebration of Life will be held at the church from 11:00 a.m. until the service begins. Aileen requests that guests arrive in casual clothing to make it a celebration of her life. She will be buried at a later date at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, IL. Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938, is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mattoon First Baptist Church 804 S 9th St, Mattoon, IL 61938 or the Illinois Extension Master Gardner Program. Checks for the Illinois Extension Master Gardner Program should be made to "U of I Extension" with (Coles County Master Gardeners) "CCMG - Sherline" in the memo line. They may be mailed to University of Illinois Coles County Extension, 707 Winsdor Road, Suite A, Charleston, IL 61920. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with her family.

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Aileen M Sherline

July 14, 1932 - October 24, 2016