Sandra Kaye Kershaw

Sandra Kaye Kershaw, 75, of Hillsboro, Illinois, passed away at her home, surrounded by her adoring family, on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Illinois on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 pm. The funeral service, which will be officiated by Rev. Mike Plummer, will start at 12:00 pm. Burial will follow the funeral service at Cress Hill Cemetery in Hillsboro, Illinois.

Born on September 8, 1950, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Bedford and Frances (O’Keefe) Billington, Sandra was raised in Montgomery County, attending Hillsboro schools in her youth. While in Hillsboro High School, Sandra met and married a young man named Marvin Kershaw on November 28, 1968, at the First Baptist Church in Hillsboro, Illinois. They spent 56 wonderful years together. 

Sandra enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom while her children were young, taking them to Six Flags and on canoe trips, spending long summer days at the city pool, and being ever-present in their lives. She loved to travel, especially spending time in Branson. She worked for Hurst-Rosche Engineers for 24 years. Church and faith have always been an important part of her life. She was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church, and  also working as secretary for them. She enjoyed volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy center and was a passionate supporter of the Right to Life. 

Her warmth radiated from her. She had the unique ability to make everyone feel welcomed, cherished, and deeply loved. She was not just a wife, mother, and grandmother; she was a constant presence – at competitions, tournaments, birthdays, and family gatherings. Her mischievous sense of humor and love for pranks made it fun to be around her. 

Sandra was an extraordinary cook and baker. Her family’s favorites were her apple pie, red velvet cake, pretzel salad and taco salad. She made beautiful wedding cakes for friends and family. At Christmas time, her favorite time of year, she would hand make stockings and sew beautiful baby quilts for her grandchildren, knowing that each stitch was made with love. She even wrote personalized lullabies for each of them. At Halloween, the whole town made sure to stop at her house for one of her famous popcorn balls. 

Preceding Sandra in death are her parents, Bedford and Frances, and a sister, Denise Knetzer.

She is survived by her loving husband, Marvin, of Hillsboro, Illinois; sons, Brian (Michele) Kershaw, and Chad Kershaw, of Hillsboro, Illinois; daughter, Becky (David) Michl of Robinson, Illinois; grandchildren, Brennon (Jena) Kershaw of Hillsboro, Illinois, Shaye (Todd) Easton of Springfield, Illinois, Mitchell (Bailey) Kent of Wichita, Kansas, Mallory (Sam) Richard of Flat Rock, Illinois, Morgen (Naomi) Kent of Flat Rock, Illinois, Wyatt Kershaw of Coffeen, Illinois, Manning (Jerra) Kent of Palestine, Illinois, Marshall (Mara) Kent of Robinson, Illinois, Grady and Elijah Michl of Robinson, Illinois, Kaylee Kershaw of Hillsboro, Illinois, Kaylee Brittain of Witt, Illinois; 14 great grandchildren and three more on the way; siblings, Connie (Larry) Shryock of Coffeen, Illinois, Deana (Tommy) Moroney of Hillsboro, Illinois, Joan Lovell of Jerseyville, Illinois, Dan (Cindy) Billington of Tennessee, David (Sandy) Billington of Godfrey, Illinois and Jeff (Vicki) Billington of Hillsboro, Illinois. 

In lieu of flowers the family has chosen memorial donations, made in Sandra’s honor, be made to the following: Lighthouse Pregnancy & Health Services, 214 South Main Street, Suite A, Hillsboro, Illinois, 62049 or the Montgomery County Cancer Association, 106 Pinnacle Point Drive, Hillsboro, Illinois, 62049.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sandra Kaye Kershaw, please visit our floral store.