Arlen Sidwell, 88, of Glen Carbon, formerly of Ohlman, died at 4:20 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at Keystone Place at Magnolia Commons in Glen Carbon.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16, at Stiehl Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at the funeral home, with Jerry Leibold officiating. Burial will follow at Kettlekamp Cemetery in Nokomis. Arrangements are entrusted to Stiehl-Dawson Funeral Home in Nokomis
Mrs. Sidwell was born on April 12, 1938, in Vandalia, the daughter of William McCoy and Lois (Cook) McCoy. She married Jerold Sidwell, who preceded her in death.
She devoted her life to education and positively impacted countless young lives throughout her teaching career. She taught in the Nokomis, Fillmore and Rosamond school districts, serving in several educational roles over the years. Her final position was a pre-K teacher, a role she cherished deeply. Her dedication to early childhood education earned her the opportunity to represent Nokomis pre-K at the CAYCE Coference in Chicago.
A woman of faith, Mrs. Sidwell served as a lay speaker for her church and enjoyed sharing her faith and encouragement with others. In her free time, she loved traveling, quilting, working puzzles, listening to bluegrass music and spending time with her family.
She will be remembered for her love of teaching, her kind and caring nature and the many lives she touched throughout her years as an educator, mentor and friend.
Mrs. Sidwell is survived by her children, Chris (Marla) Sidwell of Irving, Jennifer (Jerry) Leibold of Granite City and Andy Sidwell of Vandalia; grandchildren, Chelsea (Nick) Brawley of Granite City, Jeremiah (Cierra) Leibold of Edwardsville and Alyssa Leibold of Dallas, TX; and great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Hannah and Hailee Brawley.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jerold Sidwell; parents, William and Lois McCoy; and brother, Mark McCoy.
Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.
