Gladys Marie Schmillen Obituary (1938

TOLUCA- Gladys Marie Schmillen, 85, of Toluca passed away on Friday, October 11, 2024, in Bloomington surrounded by her loving family. She was born at home in rural Toluca on November 20, 1938, to William F. and Sadie (Dahlbach) Wudtke. She married Donald L. Schmillen on September 12, 1959, at St. Ann’s Rectory in Toluca. Gladys was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church. She sang in the church choir and taught Sunday School. She and her sister-in-law, Donna, helped start the Rebecca Circle Bible Study. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Wenona. Gladys worked as a telephone operator while in high school. She worked at Toluca Garment Factory until she was married. After staying at home to raise her four children, she returned to work at Dorothy’s Figurines for 13 years and finally at the Supreme House of Cheese. Gladys loved to quilt and made quilts for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was very artistic and painted figurines for family, friends, and clients. Gladys loved her family fiercely. She is survived by her children, Anthony (Susan) Schmillen, of Sherman, IL, Valerie (Gary) Conrady, of Collinsville, IL, Steven (Amanda) Schmillen, of Ottawa, IL, and son-in-law, Jeff Schertz, of Springfield, IL, grandchildren, Dominic (Burlie) Schmillen, Augustus (Hanna) Schmillen, Jesse (Sarah) Schmillen, Sawyer (Maddie Roloff) Conrady, Schyler (Jeff) Wilson, Sage Conrady, Emily (Jeff) Elliot, Jacob (Sandhya) Schertz, Anna (Andy) Carrigan, and Hayden Schmillen, and great grandchildren, Sampson and Maverick Schmillen, Mason Schmillen, Zoey Schmillen, Noa, Maisie and Jack Wilson, Isla Carrigan, and Tristen and Damon Schmillen. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Donna Wudtke, Jo Ann Schmillen, and Dolores Tapay. Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, her daughter, Lora Schertz, her parents, William and Sadie Wudtke, sister and brother-in-law Dorothy and Donald Sunken, and brother, Wilfred Wudtke. Visitation will be from 9-10:30 A.M. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Toluca. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 A.M. with Pastor Mauricio Vieira officiating. Inurnment will be in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Toluca. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Eastern Marshall County EMS. Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in Toluca is assisting with arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be sent to her family at www.calvertmemorial.com.