Champaign, IL - Danville - Shirley Hawkins Gonzales died on January 31, 2026, at Hathorne Inn in Danville of natural causes. She was born on February 1, 1928, in Saginaw Michigan, the fourth of eight children. Shirley met her husband Bill at Pop's Skating Rink in 1947, married in 1948 and raised three daughters: Cindy (Mike) Guthrie, Jo Anna Hawkins, Cathy (Steve) McIntosh, and had two nieces Mae (Alan) Thompson and Sharon (Butch) Waggaman who she was especially fond of.

Shirley worked as a CNA for 22 years at the VA Hospital. She gained the reputation at the VA for being the CNA who could gently persuade resistant veterans into following the staff's requests.

Shirley enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, baking, sewing and was a member of the Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses, being baptized in St. Louis, Missouri on August 10, 1941.

She is survived by her daughters Cindy and Cathy, grandchildren Jason (Cathy) Ward, Lisa (Joe) Stricker, Dustin Kling, Aaron McIntosh, Andrew (Katy) McIntosh, Stephanie (Raphael) Hamelain and Nathan McIntosh. Shirley leaves behind nine great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff at Hawthorne Inn for their compassion and comprehensive care.

A service to celebrate the life of Shirley Gonzales will be held at 3 PM on Friday, March 20, 2026, at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 3940 N. Vermilion St., Danville, IL 61834. A private interment will be held at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville.

Please join Shirley's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos of her life through her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.