Shirley Friesz, 1930-2025, Columbia, IL passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on February 12, 2025.

She is survived by her children, Janis (Orzeck) Vallero and her husband, Daniel, Chapel Hill, NC; Pamela (Orzeck) Myres and her husband, Nicolas, Carlyle, IL; Jane Friesz, St. Louis, MO; Charlotte (Jack) Friesz, Fairview Heights, IL.
Grandchildren:  Daniel Joseph Vallero, Chapel Hill, NC; Nicolas (Jama) Myres, Jr., Smithon, IL; Amelia (Mike) Vallero Randall, Chapel Hill, NC; Shelley (Bill) Sawalich, St. Louis, MO; Holley Friesz, Minooka, IL.
Great Grandchildren: Chloe Randall, Alyssa Myres, Alexander Vallero, Nicolas Myres III, Samuel Vallero, John Sawalich, Margaret Sawalich, Evan Heidel, Hunter Heidel, and Wyatt Heidel.

Shirley is preceded in death by her husband William "Bud" Friesz, and young widow of Joseph Orzeck, her parents, Anthony and Marion Reinhardt, brothers, Ralph Reinhardt and Anthony "Doc" Reinhardt, and sister, Janet Mulconnery Taylor.

She devoted her life-long career to the Cahokia Unit School District #187, beginning as a Penniman School secretary and retiring as a Superintendent finance assistant.

A founding member of both the "Clean Plate Club and Eat Dessert First Club, no one enjoyed Twinkies more than Shirley. To say she loved to gamble is an understatement; there is family suspicion that she may be the original "Casino Queen." Shirley's photo in a St. Louis newspaper documented her seated at the grand opening of "River City Casino" which just happens to be located across the bridge from her house. She was a sports fan who always completed her NCAA Basketball tournament bracket as soon as it was published. If either Illinois or Notre Dame played in a televised game, it was blaring throughout the house. Every July 4th, her shaded deck welcomed and filled to capacity with family, friends and food for fireworks.

Thursday, March 6, 2025 Immaculate Conception Church, Columbia, IL, Visitation 10:00 - 11:00 AM, Mass at 11:00 AM. Burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, IL