Mary Lou (Vignos) Schmitt, 90, of Edwardsville, formerly of Highland, died on Sunday, April 10, 2022, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville.
The family will hold a graveside service on Thursday, April 14, at Highland City Cemetery. Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mrs. Schmitt was born on Thursday, Nov. 12, 1931, in Waggoner, the daughter of Jerome E. and Mae E. (Nimmo) Vignos. She married Kenneth E. Schmitt, on Saturday, May 12, 1951, in Springfield. He preceded her in death on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012. Mrs. Schmitt was raised in Waggoner, where she attended and graduated from Farmersville High School.
She lived in Springfield, for a year, at which time she met her treasured husband of 62 wonderful years. In the following year of 1952 they moved to Highland, building a motel in Highland along with a family of six children, two boys and four girls. Mrs. Schmitt raised her family as a loving mother and was dedicated to running the Cardinal Inn for over 50 years. After retirement, she moved to Edwardsville, where she lived with the family of one of her daughters. Given her warm, caring nature and beautiful soul she was the bright light in her families’ lives. Mrs. Schmitt was a selfless, kind and sweet-hearted woman who loved her pet dogs and animals. Her presence will be dearly missed by her family, friends and all of those she touched in life.
Mrs. Schmitt is survived by her children, Robert K. (Patricia) Schmitt of Las Vegas, NV, Carol A. (Dr. David) MacKnight of Cape Coral, FL, Connie J. (Tom Saul) Hach of Loveland, OH, Jerry M. (Debbie) Schmitt of Las Vegas, NV, Rona L. (Raymond) Gregory of Edwardsville and Kara D. (Joseph) Dunlap of Plantsville, CT; grandchildren, Brent T. Atkinson, Aaryn L. (Aaron) Allman, Tara C. (Carl) Qucsai, Karley L. (Matt) Tomsich, Ryan W. (Candice) Hach, Carson T. Hach, Justin G. Leonchik, Katelyn L. Gregory, Ryan P. Gregory, Austin K. Gregory, Logan M. Gregory, Kasey R. Gregory, Allie Mae Gregory, Tyler J. Mackey and Riley S. Mackey; step-grandchild, Edward A. Dunlap; great-grandchildren, Sera N. (Gary Daniels) Allman, Michael A. Allman, Haley J. Allman, Leah A. Allman, Kailey A. Qucsai, Morgan C. Qucsai, Landen M. Qucsai, Kyler J. Hagstrom, Derek M. Tomsich, Scott W. Tomsich, Kenley J. Tomsich, Jacquelyn A. Hach, Myla R. Hach and Daxson R. Hach; great-great-grandchildren, Grayson N. Daniels and Sehera J. Daniels; sister, Sharon S. (Garry) Boston of Kalamazoo, MI; and sister-in-law, Mary A. (Krell) Vignos of Litchfield.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; grandchild, Ashley Lane Hach; brothers, Joseph E. Vignos and Jerome W. “Kelly” Vignos; and sister-in-law, Helen A. (Blanding) Vignos.
Condolences may be left online at www.spengel-boulanger.com.
