Shirley E. Ott, 87, of Erie, IL, passed away on December 5, 2025 at home.

     Shirley Ott was born on April 4, 1938, in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was the youngest daughter of John D. Black and Nell Downey Black. 

     She married Dale Ott on April 12, 1956 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Together they had 4 children, and settled in Northwest Illinois. Shirley was the proud owner and operator of the “Ceramic Center” in Prophetstown, Illinois since 1975. She often held pottery classes and workshops for the community. On July 15, 2013, both her home and business were destroyed by a catastrophic fire where she thankfully escaped with only the clothes on her back, and her loyal dog, Buddy. She spent her remaining years on the family farm near Erie, Ill.

     Shirley truly enjoyed creating ceramics, and created them until she was about 85. Her favorite holiday was halloween, but she loved to decorate for each holiday. She made the best vegetable cheese soup. She loved traveling, of course- cats, the color red, reading the newspaper and readers digest- especially the comics. 

     She is survived by her daughter Chila Ott of Erie, Ill, and her youngest son Kenneth Ott of Tuscon, Arizona; 3 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.  

     She is preceeded in death by her parents John D. Black and Nell Downey Black, her husband Dale Ott, her eldest son Richard Ott, her middle son Mike Ott, and an infant granddaughter Brenda. 

     No funeral services were held, and no memorial service has been planned at this time. 

     The family would like to express extreme greatfulness for Vitas Healthcare & Hospice Services. Shirley’s nurse Kasandra went above and beyond by showing endless compassion and support not only to Shirley, but to her family as well. 

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