Vivian G Schmitt

Vivian was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, Godmother and friend who never forgot a birthday or a special event for others. She was a role model for her family, caregiver to many, and inspirational teacher to those whose life she touched. In her youth she embraced the blessings of her large family and shared in the joy with supportive sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles and cousins. In her teens she worked at Armour’s in East St. Louis, spending summer vacation time at her Aunt's, where she soon met her future husband, Eddie, the love of her life. They were married on June 20, 1944. After her children were grown, Vivian went to work in St Louis, MO at First National Bank (Centre Bank). She enjoyed the friendships of a public workplace but never lost sight in her esteemed role as homemaker.

There are many special memories to cherish from the days of swimming lessons, summer picnics, and fountain gazing at Jones Park, to barbecues, birthdays, and boating excursions across the miles. Many of us fondly recall the many special events, parties, and vacation times shared with family and friends. Though petite in stature Vivian made a huge impact in the lives of those around her and truly left this world a better place. Sincere and generous in her faith Vivian was supportive through parish transitions from Holy Angels, where she and Eddie were married, to Our Lady of Assumption,, and then Holy Trinity. A frequent participant in Fairview Heights Senior Center events, she also participated in the local chapter of the AARP. Her renewed spirit remains in our hearts.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband, Edward H. Schmitt, who died 18 April 1988; her parents, George and Irma, nee Tieje, Eisele and a sister, Gloria Miller, who died July 22, 2009.

Surviving are her 5 children, Mary Diane Giedeman of Shiloh, IL; Richard (Judy) Schmitt of Fairview Heights, IL; Ellen (Harlan) Seymour of Richmond, VA; Stephen (Michelle) Schmitt of Roswell, GA; and John (Rose) Schmitt of Fairview Heights, IL; her sisters, Marbeth (Thomas) Davies of Burnsville, MN; Joyce (Freddie) Gonzalez of Caseyville, IL; her brothers, Gordon (Jeanne) Eisele of Belleville, IL; Donald Eisele of Belleville, IL; 9 grandchildren, Teresa (Denny) Hasamear of Collinsville, IL; Dan (Esther) Giedeman of Rockford, MI; Ron (Dianna) Giedeman of O'Fallon, MO; David (Shelley) Schmitt of Rochester, MN; Michael Schmitt of Lafayette, IN; Missy (Adam) Wood of Richmond, VA; Chip (Denise) Seymour of St Louis, MO; Amanda Schmitt and Alex Schmitt of Fairview Heights, IL; 9 great-grandchildren, Kayla, Nicole, Cheyenne Hasamear; Andrin, Tobin, Yannick Giedeman; Olivia Schmitt, Harrison and August Wood; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and dear friends.

Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Online condolences may be expressed at www.valhallagardensand funeralhome.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 1, 2012, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. A recitation of the rosary is planned for 4 p.m. at the funeral home. A second visitation will be held on the morning of Friday, March 2, 2012, from 10 a.m. till 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Fairview Heights, IL.

Funeral: Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 2, 2012 at Holy Trinity with the Rev. Anthony Onyango and the Rev. Mr. Arthur Hampton. Interment will be at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

"A Life well-lived

is like a light,

so beautiful and rare,

That everyone within its glow

is blessed because it's there.

And though the light

goes out on earth,

in heaven it shines still,

and the beauty it revealed to us

lives on and always will."