Rosemary G. Mischler

With family by her side, Rosemary G. Mischler, 87, peacefully passed from this life and began her eternal life with the Lord at 2:06 a.m., Monday, March 19, 2012 at Snyder Village in Metamora, Illinois. She was born May 2, 1924, in Metamora to Herman and Gertrude (Eichhorn) Elbert. On April 24, 1946, she married Arthur R. Mischler in Metamora. He passed away on February 2, 1998. She was also preceded in death by one infant son, Kenneth John; her parents; one infant great-grandson, Ezra Arthur Mischler; two brothers, Roland and Howard Elbert; and two brothers-in-law, Eugene Fuchs and Melvin Forney. Surviving are three sons, James (and Sue) Mischler of Metamora, Loren (and Theresa) Mischler of Peoria, and Scott (and Rebecca) Mischler of Morton; two daughters, Sharon (and Steven) Richards of West Lafayette, Indiana, and Lorene (and William) Welch of Lexington, South Carolina; 22 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are four sisters, Bernice Fuchs of Washburn, Roberta (and Robert) Harbers, Doris Forney, and Joan (and Willie) DeFord and one sister-in-law, Guenn Elbert all of Metamora; three brothers, Marvin (and Donna) Elbert of Elgin, Illinois; Allen (and Sarah) Elbert of Sulligent, Alabama, Lynn (and Sharon) Elbert of Metamora, as well as many nieces and nephews. Rosemary lived in Metamora all of her life. She graduated from Metamora Township High School in 1942 and was a cheerleader during her high school days. She began working for the US Postal Service in Metamora as a part-time clerk in 1941 and continued until she married in 1946. After raising her family, she returned to work at the Metamora Post Office in 1968 until she retired on May 2, 1984. She was a member of the American Postal Workers Union and the National Association of Retired Federal Employees. Being with family was the highlight of her life, especially at reunions and during the holidays. While she was able, Rosemary loved to spend time working in her garden, raising and canning fruits and vegetables and growing flowers to adorn her yard and home. Rosemary and her husband, Art, were known in the community for weaving beautiful rugs for many years, using a loom that was passed down in the Mischler family. When her children were young, Rosemary was a volunteer leader for the local chapter of the Girls Scouts. For 30 years, Rosemary helped serve and deliver meals to the elderly as a volunteer for the MSW Nutrition Program, last working in 2008. She preferred to serve rather than be served and assisted with this program well into her early 80s. Another cause that was close to her heart was the American Legion Auxiliary, of which she was a member since 1962. She also enjoyed volunteering for the residents at Snyder Village in Metamora. Rosemary was a lifelong member of St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Metamora and was a member of its Altar and Rosary Society since 1946. She served her church and its school on a volunteer basis for many years. Rosemary loved the Lord and was a faithful servant all the days of her life. Her daily prayers were offered for those in her community and most especially for the members of her family, whom she loved deeply and devoted her life to caring for. She was a woman of strength, love and compassion ? an inspiration and role model to her family ? and will be forever remembered by those whose lives she touched. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday March 23, 2012 at St. Mary?s Catholic Church in Metamora. Visitation will be held at Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the recitation of the rosary beginning at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be in St. Mary?s Cemetery in Metamora. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary?s School in Metamora or to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com