Sue Christine (Henricksen) Schimmelpfenning (84) of Effingham

Sue Christine (Henricksen) Schimmelpfenning, 84, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 7, 2022 at First Presbyterian Church, 600 W. Temple St. in Effingham with Rev. Katie Orth officiating. Cremation rites will be accorded after the services, according to Sue’s wishes. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at the church. Services are in the care of Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Effingham or the Effingham Public Library. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Sue was born on December 23, 1937, in Sandwich, IL, the daughter of Melvin J. and Carrie (Hill) Henricksen. She married John W. Schimmelpfenning on November 22, 1958, a union of 63 years. Sue believed very much in putting others first and helping them in any way she could. She was also active in the Presbyterian Woman’s Association and the Hope Circle at church. She had been involved with the P.E.O. Organization for many years. Sue was also a past board member at the Effingham Public Library and active in the Book Club. Sue graduated from Plano High School in Northern Illinois in 1955. She attended Purdue University, Western Illinois University, and graduated from Eastern Illinois University. Before teaching the honors English class at Effingham High School for over twenty years, she worked as a teacher’s aide at Southside Grade School. Sue enjoyed nothing more as a teacher than helping her students write to express themselves and benefit them the rest of their lives. She was also extremely happy when former students would visit her. A big love for Mom was filling their home with antiques and traveling with Dad to New England to collect early American pieces. Mom’s log cabin in the woods near their home was where she spent hours with her antiques and flower garden. Mom loved her Airedales from Annie to Christina. They gave Mom tremendous joy from being in a high school play to accompanying her on thousands of miles of walks.

Sue is survived by her husband, John Schimmelpfenning of Effingham; children, Jim, and Scott (Amy); grandchildren, Aaron (Casey), Adam (Amber), Alex (Megan), Justin (Christy), Misty (Kevin), many greatgrandchildren; and loving Airedale, Christina.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Mel and Carrie Henricksen, and sisters, Ann Bartels and Mary Squirell.