Melvin J. Schwartz, 91, of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois, passed away at 7:20 am, Thursday, November 2, 2023 at Red Bud Regional Hospital, Red Bud, Illinois.
He was born to the late Russell and Fern (nee Nicholson) Schwartz on July 18, 1932 in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois.
Melvin married Verona Heine on July 4, 1956 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois; she survives.
Melvin was a lifelong farmer. He had also worked at the lumber yard in Prairie du Rocher, North County Home Center in Red Bud and also a school bus driver.
He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma, Illinois and American Legion Post # 622 in Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. He enjoyed taking care of his goats, hunting, fishing, watching western movies, his Ford tractors, and playing euchre. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
He was Korean War Army Veteran.
Survivors:
Wife:
Verona Schwartz Prairie du Rocher, IL
4 Children:
Michael (Janet) Schwartz Prairie du Rocher, IL
Mark (Nancy) Schwartz Prairie du Rocher, IL
Sandra Schwartz Liefer Ruma, IL
Steve (Chris) Schwartz Chester, IL
13 Grandchildren:
Travis (Taylor) Schwartz, Taylor (Luke) Grimm, Danny (Jessica) Schwartz, Matt Schwartz, Tommy (Kayla) Schwartz, Christopher Schwartz, Jason Schwartz, Ashlee (Lucas) Nanney, Brooke (Devin) McKinney, Kaley Ludwig, Rachel (Tim) Conway, Ryan (Chelsea) Liefer and Katie (Brandon) Poenitske
14 Great Grandchildren:
Garrett Grimm, Zella Schwartz, Cora Schwartz, Jordan Schwartz, Hailey Schwartz, Kendall Nanney, Morgan Nanney, Karson Nanney, Cade McKinney, Ellie McKinney, Colson Stewart, Chloe Conway, Cooper Conway, and Logan Liefer
1 Sister-in-law:
Ruth Ann Wessel Waterloo, IL
Many Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends
Preceded in death by: Parents, 2 Brothers – Delmar (Imogene)Schwartz and Wilbur “Wib” (Pat) Schwartz and 1 Sister – Evelyn Schwartz
Memorial Mass:
11:00 am, Wednesday, November 8, 2023
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Ruma, Illinois
Officiating:
Msgr. Dennis Schaefer
Inurnment:
St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery
Ruma, Illinois
Visitation:
Wednesday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am
St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Red Bud, Illinois
Memorials:
St. Patrick’s Cemetery Fund