Marjorie Mae Shake

Marjorie Mae Shake of Coal Valley, Illinois passed away at Unity Point Rock Island on 6/20/2026 with her family gathered around her.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at New Hope Baptist Church, Coal Valley. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church. Cremation rites will be accorded. Private Inurnment will be at Southside Cemetery in Clayton, Illinois at a later date. Memorials may be made to New Hope Baptist Church, Coal Valley.

She was born on 2/7/1933 to William Earl Starbuck and Lola Maine (Bourn) Starbuck in Wyaconda, MO. She married Dale L. Shake on 2/5/1955 in Galesburg, Illinois. Together they raised four children, Rex (Julie) Shake of Coal Valley, Chris (Cindi) Shake of Rock Island, Theresa Johnson of Coal Valley and Stacy (Leonard) Ashby of Osco.

Marjorie spent her years caring for her husband and family and later on her grandchildren. She was an example of how to live a Christian life to all who knew her. She read her Bible nightly and prayed for all she loved. She made sure that her family knew that she was thankful for them. It has always been her hope and prayer that all of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren would be followers of Christ.

Marjorie passed on her love of reading to her family. Also, her love of animals, gardening, and cooking. She enjoyed watching nature in her backyard. She worked in her yard up until a few days before her death, pulling weeds out of her precious asparagus patch. She finished the weeding before she went inside that day. She dedicated her efforts to feeding the birds and enjoyed the different varieties that came to feast. She waited anxiously each year to spot the first hummingbird at her feeder.

She cooked delicious meals for the entire family which included roast beef, homemade egg noodles and her famous rolls that never made it to supper; they were eaten hot out of the oven before the rest of the food was ready. She didn’t stop the family from eating the rolls, but did slap hands from eating all the raw noodles.

She considered any time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren precious well spent time.

She was active in the New Hope Baptist Church in Coal Valley, working in the nursery and involved in Sunday School Class.

Marjorie felt that fairness was very important. When it was pointed out to her that in old pictures with her children she was never smiling, her answer was that if she let down her guard, she lost control of all four of kids. She recognized the differences in her children and encouraged them to overlook their differences and embrace the unique things that only they shared.

Surviving are her children (listed above), grandchildren, Amanda (Jose Luis) Quintero, Osco, IL, Cassandra Ashby, Coal Valley, IL, Kenneth Shake, Davenport, IA, Olivia Curry, Moline, IL. Melinda (Steve) Fararre, Streator, IL. Great-grandchildren, Scarlett Curry and Iris Curry, Moline, IL. Elizabeth Rolewski, Natalie Shake, Jillian Grom, William Fararre, Jackson Fararre all of Streator, IL. Her brother, Bruce (Vicki) Starbuck, Cuba, IL. Loved ones who passed before her were her husband, Dale L. Shake, son-in-law Ken Johnson, grandson Dale M. Shake, brother Dan Starbuck, sister Margaret Morrison and her parents. Her beloved dog and companion Bandit also preceded her in death.

Her family will be forever grateful for the length of time they have had with her.

We do not mourn as those who have no hope for we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.