Dixie Vivian Schwegel

Dixie Vivian (Hill) Schwegel crossed the mountain to Everlasting Friday, October 12, 2012. Dixie was born October 25, 1925 in her family home in East Alton, IL. She was the daughter of William Alonzo and Violet Mae (Talbert) Hill. A descendent of Cherokee and English, her Native American ancestors can be found in the Dawes Rolls of the Cherokee Nation. Dixie’s great-great grandfather, Oliver P. Foster filed the plat for the “burg” of Fosterburg, IL on October 12, 1857, naming it after her great, great, great grandfather, Oliver Foster, who was a veteran of the War of 1812 and had passed two years earlier in 1885. Dixie married Otto Francis Schwegel Jr. on November 5, 1945 in Troy, MO. Otto preceded her in passing. They were married for 64 years and have five surviving children. Dixie was an anchor to her family and the rudder for her husband. This was just one of the amazing things she accomplished in her life. She graduated with a LPN in 1946 from Alton Memorial School of Nursing through the Army Nurses Corps just as WWII was ending. As her children came along, she devoted her life to supporting them and her husband’s career (a police officer in Alton and Madison County.) Dixie enjoyed sewing, crochet and had an amazing talent for providing for her family with limited resources. Most importantly, she was always kind and loving to her husband and children. She always encouraged them to be and do their “best.” She loved a good book and was an avid reader; a joy she passed on to her children. Dixie was very accomplished in the kitchen and anxious to share the feast she had prepared around the dinner table with her family always making sure there were “goodies” around for her children; and later, for her grandchildren and great grandchildren who spent many happy times in the kitchen with their “Granny.” She loved nature, birds, walking in the woods, gardening, boating and camping. She and her family spent many days boating and enjoying the Mississippi river on the family’s small cabin cruiser. She knew how to have fun and how to work hard. She will be sadly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, family members and friends. Dixie is survived by her five children and their partners; Lynda D. and Phillip J. Kardis of Alton, Darlene Randolph of Tucson, AZ, Jay and Kelly Schwegel of Decatur, IL, Dr. Catherine Zeman and Dr. Diane Depken of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Michael and Amy Schwegel of Jerseyville. Twelve grandchildren and their partners; Christopher and Dr. Sara Nisinger, John Anthony Kardis, Emily A. Kardis, Abraham and Tonya Randolph, Jeremy and Samantha Stumpf, Kristina and Colin Minot, Casey and Rachel Schwegel, Crystal and Michael Snider, Jason Schwegel, Ciera Schwegel, Tanner Schwegel, Schon Schwegel, Phillip’s son and daughter, Philllip Kardis and Angella Warren, Kelly’s son, Sean Smith and Diane’s son, Andrew Pantano. Twelve great-grandchildren, Chace, Caden, Carlton Randolph, Lyndsey Cheyenne, Alexis Sioux, Dakota, and Cree Stumpf, Kira and Braden Minot, Austin Mifflin, Brandon Nisinger and Ronan Snider. Additional survivors include her beloved sister, Darlene Hurt of Bella Vista, Arkansas and her family. A special niece and nephew, Shelly Grover and Randy Hill of East Alton. Her only brother, William Hill, Jr. preceded her in passing. And lastly, her cherished “Grand dogs,” Iris, Freud, Nike, Hershey, Pearlie, CoCo, Lady, Finny, Gabby, Bella, “Scooter,” (with whom she shared a special telepathic connection) Moochie and Baby Girl. According to her wishes, she will be cremated. Dixie and Otto’s ashes will be combined and set adrift in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Hollywood, Florida. Sail on our beloved ones, adrift together again, in everlasting peace. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all the caring, dedicated nurses and aides at the Rosewood Care Center in Alton who because of their “special calling” in life treated our mother as their own. We will be forever grateful. Donations in Dixie’s name can be made to Riverbend Humane Society NFP Animal Shelter, 23402 Crystal Lake Road, Jerseyville, IL 62052. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. PDF Printable Version

Tributes

Dixie Vivian Schwegel

October 25, 1925 - October 12, 2012