Pete Shirley

Peter Michael Shirley, 82, of Willard, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, June 22, 2026.

Pete was born on July 8, 1943, in Lebanon, Indiana, to Levi and Mabel (Huckleberry) Shirley. Peter served his country in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965. He owned his own log trucking company for many years. On March 24, 2007, he was united in marriage to Toni Lowe and they lived in Willard. He was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 139. He loved fishing and above all, spending time with his family.

He is survived by his children, Scott (Patti) Shirley of Sarasota, FL and Todd Shirley of Neillsville; son-in-law, Paul (Katie) Opelt of Neillsville; eight grandchildren, Jessica (Kent) Fitzl, Marcus (Michelle) Shirley, Marissa (Jason) Scheffler, Emily (Nino) Fricano, Marshall (Madelyn) Opelt, Natalie (Trevor) Fischer, Carson (Ava) Opelt, Kaleb Walsh; 10 great-grandchildren, Delayni, Drew, Draelynn, Mason, Stella, Charlotte, Blakely, Rosalie, Hahns, Fletcher; siblings, Sheri Shirley, Kitty (Mace) Maisonet, Pat (Tom) Cummings, Sue (Roy) Elmhorst, Margo (Fritz) Elmhorst – as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended relatives. He is preceded in death by his parents, Levi and Mabel; his wife, Toni; daughter, Shelley Opelt; brother-in-law, Ron Segebarth and niece, Andrea Cummings.

Visitation will be from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Military Honors will be accorded by the Neillsville Veteran’s Council to conclude the visitation at the funeral home. 

Gesche Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting Pete’s family with funeral arrangements.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.