Shirley Annis Mendez, 78, passed away on Sunday July 24, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 AM on Friday July 29, 2016 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM on Thursday July 28 and from 9:30-10:30 AM on Friday at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Shirley was born on December 16, 1937 in Gilmore City, IA, the daughter of Melvin and Ruby (Wilson) Stauffer. She grew up in the Gilmore area, graduating from Gilmore High School with the class of 1956. She then attended UNI for two years. On November 19, 1960 she was united in marriage with Vidal Mendez at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pocahontas, IA. After they moved to Oelwein, Shirley took a job with the Oelwein Daily Register, where she worked for thirty-one years. In her spare time she enjoyed traveling, working in her garden and cooking; but, most of all spending time with her family. Shirley leaves behind many friends, as well as family members who will dearly miss her.
She is survived by her husband Vidal Mendez of Oelwein; two sons: Tom (Connie) Mendez of Shakopee, MN and Jim (Vickie) Mendez of Oelwein; six grandchildren: Nick, Hannah, Amanda, Zac, Marisa and Madison; three great grandchildren: Ariana, Abram and Ava; her brother Rollo (Lois) Stauffer of Des Moines; two sister-in-laws: Patricia Stauffer and Fran Stauffer; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter Patricia Mendez; her brothers: Edward and Dennis Stauffer.
