Beverly Mae Schwager (96) of Effingham

Beverly Mae Schwager of Effingham, IL, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the age of 96.

Born on August 24, 1928, in Edwardsville, she was the beloved daughter of Morton and Frances (Walter) Trent. She married Wayne F. Schwager on September 11, 1948, in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Edwardsville. Married for 70 years, together, they traveled to all 50 states as well as many different countries, creating many wonderful memories along the way.

Beverly is survived by her brother, John (Shirley) Trent of Tucson, Arizona; her daughters Mary Eisenbarth of Vandalia; Nancy (James) Aiken of Hobe Sound, FL; Ann Marsh of Effingham; and daughterin-law, Deborah Schwager of Isle of Palms, SC. Her grandchildren include John Eisenbarth of Puteri Harbor, Malaysia; Jaclyn (Mitch) Daniels of Vandalia; Jennifer (Roy) Shelly of Effingham; James Aiken of Hobe Sound, FL; Allison (Drew) Apke of Effingham; Lauren Aiken of Tampa, FL; and Hailey Marsh of Denver, CO. Beverly was also the proud great-grandmother to Davis, Parker, Callan, Oakley, Nora, Antonio “AJ”, and Michael.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister Louise (Gene) Wroten, her sons Lawrence Schwager and William Schwager, her son-in-law, Steven Eisenbarth, and her grandson Alex Alsbury. Beverly was a dedicated and loving mother of five, raising her family in Clinton, MD, where she managed the demands of a busy household. In 1973, the Schwagers moved to Vandalia, Illinois, where they owned and operated the Holiday Inn until 1983. After extensive travelling and a move to South Carolina, Beverly worked as an administrative assistant for the city of Mt. Pleasant. She moved to Effingham, IL in 2013 to live out her years with family assistance and company. Beverly enjoyed needlepoint, feeding and watching the birds, camping and gardening, and in her later life, working on puzzles and word searches. Beverly’s kindness and devotion to her family and friends will be remembered by all who knew her. She leaves behind many cherished memories.

A memorial service will be held at 12:00 Noon on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Wednesday, January 15, 2025 prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation made in Beverly's name to the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.