Sheila Joy (Monti) Bussone earned her Freedom from her health struggles these last few years at her Chetek lake home with her husband Paul and her caregiver Jackie at her side, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, just past noon.

Born September 17, 1970, in Peoria, Illinois to Vaughn Monti and Kathleen Reising, Sheila was raised with her brother Tony in the River City. Attending Peoria Public School District 150, for whom she would later be employed, Sheila graduated from Woodruff High School in 1988. Participating in Band, Speech, and whatever else she found interesting. Upon graduation, Sheila attended Eastern Illinois University earning a B.A. in Mathematics in 1993. There she met a small group of friends that exist to this day. The "EIU Girls" made a number of girls weekends to numerous locals in the Midwest over the years. Upon graduation from EIU, she began a teaching career that included a return to her H.S. alma mater, Woodruff High School, teaching Geometry and other mathematical interests. Sheila also taught at Morton High School and Peoria Heights High School. Her final few years in a classroom were spent in a primary setting at Marquette Heights Elementary School. A position she thoroughly loved, saying, "those kids make me smile and laugh everyday". All during and after her formal teaching days she tutored all levels of math to all levels of students from all over the Peoria area.

In 2002 she met up with a former Woodruff High School faculty member, Paul Bussone, and the two started a relationship that resulted in the two getting married on June 19, 2004. The next twenty years saw them both continue to teach until Paul retired from PSD 150 in 2014. Sheila kept on until 2020. Paul needed Chetek time. In 2007 the two of them purchased their first home in Chetek, Wisconsin, a place near and dear to Paul's heart since he was a child. Sheila's first visit was a positive one so the search began and in a few years, the purchase was made. In 2017 they moved two blocks down the street to a home on the lake where they still reside. A Harley girl for years before she and Paul met, it was a big plus when she found out Paul was a Harley guy. The two spent 20 years together enjoying the Harley lifestyle. Sheila loved driving the bike from behind Paul. Paul, not so much. As a hobbyist, Sheila was an avid reader and loved beading bracelets, necklaces, and earrings.

Sheila was preceded in death by her grandmother, Helen Reising, the #1 woman in her life (just ask the family), her In-laws Joe and Evelyn Bussone, Brother-in-law Mark Bussone, and several uncles on her side of the family.

Sheila is survived by her husband Paul of Chetek, Wisconsin and Dunlap, Illinois, stepson Mitch(Samantha) Bussone of St. Louis, Mo., stepson Jared (Tori) Bussone of Libertyville, Il., granddaughter Dylan Mae Bussone of Libertyville, Il., caregiver Jackie Brisky of Cameron, Wi. (a true Godsend to her), father Vaughn Monti and life partner Rosie of Creve Coeur, Il., mother Kathleen Reising of Peoria, Il., brother Tony Monti of Peoria, Il., sister-in-law and brother-in-law Sue and Steve Ohde of Chetek, Wi., nephews Eric Ohde of Waukee, Ia., and Alex (Haley) Ohde of Ames, Ia., niece Rachel (Dean) Marlin of Sauk Rapids, Mn. and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins in the Peoria area. Aunt Julie, Aunt Monica, and Aunt Mary have been particularly important to Paul and Sheila these past few years of Sheila's health struggles. And to her mother, Kathleen, for the endless days you spent doing what you thought was right. Sorry it didn't work out.

Sheila had many close friends both from her days in Peoria and those she made in the years she lived in Chetek. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Sheila loved every color of the rainbow, her favorite, purple. A member of Peoria HOG and Blue Hills HOG of Rice Lake, WI., Sheila was more often than not seen in Harley colors or something purplish. For those attending the services, please consider wearing something very colorful or very Harley. She'll be watching!

The greatest memorial anybody can give in Sheila's memory is to just have a happy thought about the times you spent with her. That will be priceless. Please no donations.

Services will be held in both Peoria and Chetek with burial in Lakeview Cemetary, Chetek, WI.

A visitation will be held at the Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria, IL, on Thursday, May 22, from 4-7:00 PM with a prayer service at 6:00 PM.

A visitation will be held at the Burnham-Ours-Kolstad Funeral Home in Chetek, WI, on Saturday, May 24, from 11-1:00PM with a prayer service at 1:00. Sheila will be laid to rest following the prayer service.

Last Update: May 15, 2025 11:47 am CDT