Sheila M. Yockey

Sheila Marie Yockey (née Gallivan), 92, of Monticello, Illinois, formerly of Rushville, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Sheila was born on November 21, 1933, the daughter of William F. and Catherine A. (Cantwell) Gallivan. She graduated from Bement High School in the Class of 1951. Sheila continued her education first at the University of Illinois and then at the St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Peoria, IL. As a Registered Nurse, she launched a 50-year career caring for people. She married Dwight E. Yockey of Milmine, IL on September 17, 1955, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ivesdale, IL. She moved to Rushville, IL with her husband and family in 1964, where they flourished for 47 years.

Sheila and Dwight were blessed with six loving children, and she is survived by sons, John and wife Diane of Vienna, VA, Patrick and wife Cheryl of Chaska, MN, Michael and wife Mary of Naperville, IL, and Louis and wife Sarah of Springfield, IL; and daughter, Mary Bales and husband Thaddeus of Monticello, IL. The pride and joy of her life were her 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Among the highlights of a day with grandma included fishing excursions, daytrips, and afternoons at the swimming pool. She will be forever remembered for her oatmeal cookies and sugar cookies.

She was preceded in death by husband, Dwight Yockey; one son, William Cecil Yockey, her parents, William and Catherine Gallivan, her brothers, William Gallivan, Patrick Gallivan, and her sister, Catherine Weaver.

Sheila had a remarkable ability to see the good in everyone she met. Guided by deeply held values and a steady sense of hope, she moved through life with resilience, optimism, and kindness. She’s cherished by her family and friends, who often looked to her as a quiet example of how to live with compassion, integrity, and grace.

An active and engaged member of her community, Sheila was especially devoted to St. Rose Catholic Church, where she gave generously of her time teaching children catechism and in the Altar and Rosary Society. Her involvement reflected her belief in service, connection, and caring for others.

Sheila’s professional life was rooted in helping people. Many credit her with giving them their start in nursing, as she took great pride in mentoring and supporting young professionals entering the field. She loved teaching, learning alongside others, and sharing her experience. Her career spanned the years from sterilizing and resharpening needles to reuse until the use of laptop computers. After a long and dedicated career at Sarah D. Culbertson Memorial Hospital, Sheila continued this work through home health care, extending her compassion well beyond the hospital.

Sheila loved to cook, and her home was always open, especially on Sundays when she warmly welcomed family and friends to brunch after Mass.

A lifelong learner, Sheila found great joy in reading. Her family especially treasured the thoughtful summaries she shared about the books she enjoyed. She was an avid bridge player into her 90s and enjoyed many days with her card-playing friends.

Sheila’s legacy is one of kindness, service, and quiet generosity that will continue to live on through all whose lives she touched.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 201 5th St., Ivesdale, IL 61851, with Father Sixmund Nyabenda Henry as Celebrant. A praying of the Rosary will commence, at 9:00 a.m. Monday, followed by a visitation from 9:20 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in the church. Burial will be at the Bement Township Cemetery, Bement, IL. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Ivesdale, IL, St. Rose Catholic Church, Rushville, IL or OSF Medical Center College of Nursing Scholarship Program https://bit.ly/Scholarships4Nurses.