Rose Ann (Stoecker) Mathy (91) of Effingham

Rose Ann (Stoecker) Mathy, 91, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Sunday, May 19, 2024 at Willowbrook Memory Care Residences in Effingham.

According to Rose Ann’s wishes, she has chosen to donate her body for research science to St. Louis University School of Medicine.

A Memorial Mass of Celebration will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Effingham on Friday, June 21, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation held from 9:30 -11:30 a.m. prior to the Mass at the church. The Memorial Mass will be livestreamed on the Sacred Heart Church YouTube page. Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be sent directly to the Alzheimer’s Association, Sacred Heart Church in Effingham, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

Rose Ann was born on April 3, 1933, in St. Louis, MO, the daughter of Walter A. and Helen H. (Kehm) Hoeffner. Rose Ann graduated from Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, MO and attended Drury College in Springfield, MO. She married Donald Roy Stoecker on August 21, 1954, and he preceded her in death on November 5, 1978. She then married Gerald P. “Jerry” Mathy on January 1, 1985 and he preceded her in death on December 11, 2020. She was a loving and caring wife, dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, neighbor and a friend to everyone. She always had a positive outlook on life. She enjoyed playing cards, especially pinochle, and attending concerts, music, dancing, especially ballet and swing jazz. One of Rose Ann’s talents was rewriting song lyrics for special events and birthdays. She mailed many birthday cards over the years to beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She worked as a P.E. teacher and secretary at Sacred Heart School in Effingham. In 1976, she became director of the Effingham County Housing Authority until her retirement in 1990. She was an active member of Sacred Heart Church and the Council of Catholic Women, the treasurer of FACE Fine Arts, County of Effingham for 20 years, and a member of Juvae Jazz Society. She and Don were active Young Republicans in Effingham County, and she enjoyed collecting elephant figurines. Later, she and Jerry enjoyed traveling to jazz festivals throughout the United States and playing golf.

Rose Ann is survived by her children, Ellen (James Doyle) Stoecker of Seattle, WA; Jerry (Jenean, deceased) Stoecker of Columbia, IL; Susan (Jerry) Donsbach of Teutopolis; Richard (Mary Lou) Stoecker of Columbia, IL; Martin Stoecker of Wentzville, MO; Nancy (Hillary) White of Mattoon; David (Alyce Ward, deceased) Stoecker of Makanda, IL; stepson, Steve (Theresa) Mathy of Effingham; grandchildren, Larry (Jamie) Manuel, Lindsey (Joe Ingoldsby) Stoecker, Sarah (Todd) Cowger, Sarah (Adam) Pike, Ryne (Mindy) Donsbach, Erik (Ashley) Stoecker, Ken (Erin) Stoecker, Nicole (Kris) Long, Phillip (Lauren) Stoecker, Jeffrey Stoecker, Nikolas Stoecker, Madalyn Stoecker, Anthony Stoecker, and Lillian Stoecker; 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Shirley Albert of Lee Summit, MO and LaVerne Rodgers of St. Louis, MO; and sisters-in-law, Shirley Stoecker of Waterloo, IL and Marcia Dirks of Avon, OH.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Donald Stoecker and Jerry Mathy; daughters-inlaw, Jenean (Shelley) Stoecker and Alyce Ward; brothers-in-law, Donald Albert and Jerry Rodgers; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Michaelree.

The family conveys special thanks for the gentle care shown Rose Ann by so many; Jeanne Schuette, Dr. Eric Bloemer, HSHS St. Anthony E.R., 3rd and 5th floor nurses, all of the HSHS Hospice nurses and especially to the entire staff at Willowbrook of Effingham. We could not have made it through this journey without you.