Patty J. Schwass, age 90, of Lake Warren, Monmouth, Illinois, passed away at 9:20 AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at her home with her family by her side. She was born September 5, 1932 in Denver, Colorado, the daughter of Leslie H. and Mildred R. (Kniss) Guilinger. Patty attended school locally, and was a graduate of Little York High School. She later attended Carl Sandburg College and obtained her BA from Monmouth College. On August 25, 1951, she married Don G. Schwass in North Long Beach, California and he preceded her in death on March 1, 2011. Patty worked as a school teacher for twenty years at Harding Elementary School. She was a member of the Carl Sandburg College School Board as well as the Monmouth School Board. Patty was also a Cub Scout Den Mother. She enjoyed crafting with her friends at Strom Center, belonged to a sewing group, volunteering at the local hospital as part of the Hospital Volunteer Sewing Club, the YMCA Silver Sneakers Exercise Group, and wintering in South Texas for over twenty years. Mostly, she loved her family, and dancing with her husband Don.
Patty is survived by two daughters, Janice (Kenny) Koehler of Mendon, IL and Susan (Armando) Galvan of Lake Warren, two sons, Jim (Lorraine) Schwass of Pattonsburg, IL and Les (Rita) Schwass of Lake Warren, one daughter-in-law Linda Schwass of Burlington, Iowa, and one brother, Ancil (Sharon) Guilinger of Savanna, IL. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren with one on the way, and numerous nieces and nephews. Patty is preceded in death by her parents, husband Don, one son, Roy Schwass, one sister, Mary Ellen Guilinger, one brother, Leslie Guilinger, and one great-granddaughter, Ciera Erikson.
A funeral service for Patty Schwass is planned for 11:00 AM on Monday, June 19, 2023 at Turnbull Funeral Home in Monmouth, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials are being established for either Strom Center, Monmouth, Illinois or Jamieson Community Center, Monmouth, Illinois. Patty’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to OSF Hospice for the outstanding care provided over the past several days. For more information, or to leave a remembrance of Patty, please visit www.turnbullfuneralhomes.com.
