Age 79, of Breese, Ill. She was born to Walter C. and Ida G. (Nee Gramm) Gentsch in Belleville, Ill. Shirley was a retired secretary for JMJ Sanitation and Trash Hauling. She was a member of Order of Eastern Star, Past Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls, Past President of Mary & Martha Society, and a member of O'Fallon United Church of Christ.

She is survived by her daughters Marilyn (Steve) Schmidt of Breese, Ill., and Carol (Jim) Nelson of O'Fallon, Ill., and a grandson, Jason Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Milford L. Ahring, whom she married April 7, 1946; and passed away on March 23, 2002; parents, and granddaughter Lynne Marie Schmidt.

Memorial Donations are requested to St Louis Childrens' Hospital Neonatal Unit, in honor of her granddaughter Lynne Marie or Rainbow Girls Scholarships Supreme 2008. Condolences may be extended to the family by visiting www.wfh-ofallon.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Sunday, July 15, 2007 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, Ill. and after 10:30 am, Monday, July 16, 2007 at O'Fallon United Church of Christ. The Women's Guild will conduct a walk-through at 6 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home.

Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 16, 2007 at O'Fallon United Church of Christ with Reverend Walter Gerth officiating. Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens.