Shirley Joan Finley, 88, stepped into God’s arms on Sept. 23, 2022, at Golden Years Assisted Living Center in Walworth.
Joan was born in Roanoke, Alabama, on Dec. 19, 1934, to Sanford Thomas and Grace (Nolan) Philpott. At 17, she met her future husband, Serviceman Robert Finley, on a blind date and they were soon married and moved to Delavan. They were married 68 years until his passing.
Joan was a housewife and homemaker and raised their two sons, Pat and Mike, and worked in various service committees through their church. She was a member of the Briggs Road Evangelical Free Church in Elkhorn.
In her later years, she and Bob enjoyed camping in their travel trailer and tripping around Wisconsin and the country. Joan was a lifelong writer and kept a journal of her thoughts and prayers. In 2021 she published a book of her devotions and meditations.
Joan’s parents and husband preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sons, Patrick (Anita) Finley of Burlington, and Michael (Valentina de Navasques) Finley of Milwaukee; grandsons, Sean Finley (Burlington), Benjamin Finley (Helsinki, Finland) and Reid Finley (Milwaukee).
The family wishes to thank the staff of Golden Years of Walworth and Mercy Hospice for their care and support during the last few years of our mother’s life. We also wish to thank the Rev. Tom and the Rev. Bob and the congregation of the Brigg’s Road Evangelical Free Church for their prayers and support over the years. Private services were held.
Lazarczyk Family Funeral Homes, Betzer Chapel of Delavan is serving the Finley family.
