Shirl B. Laughlin, 86, of Freeport, died March 3, 2015 at FHN Memorial Hospital. Born on February 23, 1929 in Freeport, he was the son of Edward E. and Edna M. (Heeren) Laughlin. Shirl graduated from Freeport High School in 1946 and from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa, in 1950 with a BA degree. He graduated from the University of Illinois Law School in 1953.

He spent January of 1954 until January 1956 in the U.S. Army. On February 4, 1956 Shirl and Hope Dupee were married in Freeport. They had three daughters, Laura, Lisa, and Ellen. Shirl was a lifelong resident of Freeport. Hope and Shirl met while playing in the Freeport Concert Band in Krape Park. Shirl played the 1st chair cornet in the band for 40 years. He and Hope were joined in the band by all three of their daughters at one time or another.

On return from his Army duties, he joined in law practice with his brother, Everett E. Laughlin, in the firm of Laughlin & Laughlin which was founded by their father, Edward E. Laughlin. He practiced law in the area for over 50 years until his retirement in 2003. Shirl was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed hunting pheasants in this area with his German Shorthaired Pointer dogs. He was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. Always a man of his word, many will remember his sparkling wit and dry humor which kept us smiling even as his health was failing.

Memberships included Stephenson County Bar Association, of which he was past president, Illinois State Bar Association, and American Bar Association. He was a member of Embury United Methodist Church for over 70 years.

Surviving are his wife, Hope of Freeport; his daughters, Laura Laughlin of Lyon, France; Lisa Laughlin, Seattle, WA; Ellen (Gregg) Jech, Bolingbrook, IL; grandchildren Alex and Megan Jech; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents, his brother and sister-in-law, Everett and Lucille Laughlin, and his sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Delmer Meyers.

Services have been held. A memorial fund has been established for FHN Hospice and Friends Forever Humane Society. Please sign Shirl’s guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com.