Michelle “Shelly” J. Menard, 61, of Clifton passed away at her home on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Shelly was born on May 28, 1957 in Chicago; the daughter of the late Harold J. and Mary Virginia (Draghi) Whynott. Shelly married Alan J. Menard in Ashkum on July 22, 1978; he preceded her in death on December 11, 1999. Shelly was the owner and operator of the WhyNot Stop in Clifton; outside of her work Shelly was very civic minded and was a long time supporter of the Clifton Fun Days. Shelly always loved spending time with and entertaining family and friends; always loving a reason to dress up she loved the holidays especially Halloween. Shelly always loved a good party and enjoyed dancing very much. Shelly was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church in Clifton.
Shelly is survived by her children: Jami (Steve Purvin) Menard of Chicago, Chad (Brittany Weber) Menard of Temecula, CA, Jace (Taylor Drez) Menard of Oceanside, CA, her brother Rick (Sandy Donnelly) Whynott of Chebanse, father-in-law Edmund Menard of Manteno, sister-in-law Brenda (Greg) Yohnka of Clifton, brother-in-law Carl (Sandi) Menard of Flint, MI, four nieces: Casey (David Thomsen) Whynott of Aroma Park, Nicole Whynott of Littleton, CO, Elizabeth (David) Ferguson of Clifton, Amanda Menard of Flint, MI, two nephews Austin (Erin Huddleston) Yohnka of Nashville, TN, and Lance Menard of Rochester Hills, MI.
Shelly was also preceded in death by her mother-in-law Bernice Menard, her maternal and paternal grandparents, and one niece.
The family will receive guests at the Knapp Funeral Home in Clifton on Monday, December 3, from 5-8 pm. A funeral mass celebrated by Rev. Doug Hauber will be on Tuesday, December 4, at 10 am at St. Peter Catholic Church in Clifton. Burial will follow at St. Peters Catholic Cemetery in Clifton.
Shelly’s family would like to give a special thank you to her wonderful friends and caretakers: Cathy Dundas, Julie Phelps, Deidre Deany, Brenda Cordes, Dorcilla Schoolman, Lori Riebe, Mike Hull, Kay Movern, Renee Mathy, Karie Frake, Lee Anne Gilbert, and Eileen Boudreau.
Those who wish are encouraged to leave memorials in Shelly’s name to the Kankakee Valley Hospice.
