Karen Jean Schmitz

Karen Jean “Jeanie” Laird Schmitz passed away on October 18th, 2023, at Heritage Health Care in Hoopeston, Illinois. Jeanie was born in Watseka, Illinois on September 30th, 1944, to J. Russell “Pete” and Marie Pinnick Laird, deceased. Jeanie was a happy child who grew up on a farm southeast of Milford, Illinois. She attended Stockland Grade School and moved to Milford Township schools graduating in 1962.

She was first married to Bill Prather, with whom she had a son, Quintin. She later married Tom Schmitz, of Rossville, Illinois, who survives. She is survived by her son Quintin, her daughter in law Leslie Prather, her grandchildren Ace Prather, Kinsley Prather, and Isabella Prather, of Lafayette, Indiana. She is also survived her sister, Joyce Garmon of Danville, Illinois. Her brother-in-law, Dick Garmon, is deceased. Jeanie was an active master gardener. She expressed her love of nature through painting, photography, and hiking. Jeanie designed and made jewelry, loved cats, and had a special love for her grandson, Ace.

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