Shirley Bierbaum

Shirley Marie (Haeckel) Rain Bierbaum, 95, passed away Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Born June 27, 1931 in St. Louis, MO, she was a daughter of August Haeckel and Christine (Greisman) Hathaway Haeckel.

Shirley started working in the Alton School District teaching disabled children at the Milton School. She advanced in her career and retired in 1996 as bookkeeper for Alton High School. She also served as President of the teacher’s union. Shirley was a faithful member of Elm Street Presbyterian Church, serving as both deacon and elder.

Survivors include two daughters, Jo Ann Rain and her husband Rick Williams of Oxford, GA and Jeannie Rain of Wood River; grandchildren, Brian Rain, Nathan (Jennifer) Rain, Bethany (Morgan) Ryan, Ashton Williams and Jake (Kyla Maynard) Williams; great grandchildren Aidan, Kalyn, and Clover and a step-great grandson, Zach.

Her first husband, Christopher John Rain passed away in 1963. She also was preceded in death by children Christie Rain, Steven Rain, Susan Rain, Kevin Rain, and Johnny Rain; stepchildren Don and David Rain, Glenn Wayne Bierbaum, Don Bierbaum, and David Bierbaum. Her previous husband Glenn L. Bierbaum also passed away, as well as her brother, Kenny and his wife Kathy Haeckel; half-sister, Laverne Birckhead; and half-brother Harry Hathaway.

The family will hold memorial visitation on Thursday, Oct. 29 at the First United Methodist Church in Wood River from 5 p.m. until services begin at 6 p.m.

Professional services entrusted to Paynic Home for Funerals, with an online guestbook available at www.paynicfh.com.