Shirley A. “Sammy” Griesbach

Shirley A. “Sammy” Griesbach (nee Meyer), 77, of Lebanon, IL, died Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at St. Louis University Hospital, St. Louis, MO.

She was born August 11, 1933 to Irwin and Nita (nee Dohm) Meyer, in Dane, WI.  On January 22, 1955 she married Duane M. Griesbach, in Madison, WI.

Sammy received her R. N. Degree from the Methodist Hospital, Madison, WI, her B.A. Degree from McKendree University, Lebanon, IL, and her M.S. from Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL.  She was the original Executive Director of Belleville Hospice of Southern Illinois in 1981.  That organization is now known as Hospice of Southern Illinois.  She was still volunteering for this organization until the last few months.  Sammy had worked as an R.N. in the States of New Mexico, Florida, California, Virginia, and Illinois, which corresponded with her husband’s military career.  She was also an accomplished musician with the piano and organ.

Sammy was a founding member of Messiah Lutheran Church, Lebanon, IL, and the Lebanon History Club, Lebanon, IL.

She is survived by her husband, Duane M. “Herm” Griesbach, Col., USAF, Ret’d, Lebanon, IL; 3 Children, Leslie (Peter) Minko, Front Royal, VA, Linden (Carol) Griesbach, Caledonia, IL, Laurel (Mark) Almeter, Flower Mound, TX; 9 Grandchildren, Nadena (Joseph) Barnett, St. Louis, VA, Shaina (Jesse) Berry, Front Royal, VA, Blake Minko, Front Royal, VA, Warren Minko, Front Royal, VA, Timothy (Kristi) Griesbach, Rockford, IL, Anna (Rod) Tucker, Kalamazzo, MI, Mary Griesbach, Caledonia, IL, Andrew Almeter, Flower Mound, TX, Audrey Almeter, Flower Mound, TX; 4 Great-Grandchildren, Nathan, Caleb, Zoe, Noah Barnett; 1 Brother, Ronald (Diane) Meyer, Fishersville, VA; 1 Nephew and 2 Nieces.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Irwin and Nita Meyer, 1 Niece, Rhonda Meyer.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or Messiah Lutheran Church.

Visitation: Sunday, March 20, 2011, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Monday, March 21, 2011 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, Lebanon, IL.

Funeral: Monday, March 21, 2011 11:00 a.m. at Messiah Lutheran Church, Lebanon, IL.

Clergy: Rev. Brian Holley, Pastor.

Interment: At a later date.

Meyer Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL.