Carol Joanne Ontis

Carol Joanne Ontis, 82, died on Monday, November 14, 2016, at Alton Memorial Hospital. Born January 14, 1934, in Alton, she was the daughter of Henry and Anna (Fluck) Schenk. Her childhood was spent at Hellrung Playground with friends and neighbors that she kept all her life. Joanne attended St. Patrick's Church and School in Alton, graduated from Marquette Catholic High School in 1952, and went on to work at Millers Mutual Insurance. On June 20, 1953, she married Dale Ontis in Alton. He preceded her in death on September 17, 2012. Joanne retired from the Alton School District after many years of cooking for and feeding children at East Jr, West Jr, and Thomas Jefferson to name a few. She loved feeding people and volunteered for years as a cook, seamstress, chaperone, and stand-in mom for the Colonial Fife and Drum Corps where she made many lifelong friends. Also a proud member of the Red Hat Society, she so enjoyed her tea times and lunches with the ladies. Mrs. Ontis was an active member at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, and upon its closing, volunteered at St. Mary’s in the school library and cooking for funeral luncheons until she was no longer able. Children were her life, be it her own seven, her grandchildren, great grandchildren, or those of friends and neighbors, she loved them all. Joanne was generous to a fault, always thinking of others, and a loyal friend to so many. She was loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Surviving are two daughters: Diane Varble (Pete Herren) of Dow, and Tricia (Steve) Dawson of Indianapolis, IN, five sons: Terry (Rhonda) Ontis of East Alton, Tim Ontis of Alton, Tom (Gina) Ontis of Brevard, NC, Tony Ontis of Alton and Todd Ontis of Alton, eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and dear friends and neighbors too numerous to name (but you know who you are), and her wiener dog that she loved so much. Along with her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a grandchild, Stacy Varble, a son-in-law, Rick Varble, and two brothers, Ronald and Jay Schenk. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday, November 18, 2016, at Gent Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 19, 2016, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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Carol Joanne Ontis

January 14, 1934 - November 14, 2016