Comments (...)WILMINGTON, Ill. — Mrs. Geraldine Rose Woolwine, 98, of Wilmington, Ill., passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013, at Riverside Medical Center.
Born Feb. 24, 1914, in Wilmington, Geraldine was a daughter of the late Albert and Margaret McMaster- Schutten. She was raised and educated in Wilmington, where she graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1931.
Geraldine married Ernest L. Woolwine on July 14, 1931. Geraldine was not only known as a homemaker, but also enjoyed dancing, writing poetry, and was proud to have participated in the war effort during World War II.
She was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church, where she was actively involved in the Mother’s Club and St. Rose School. Geraldine was also a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, involved in the Wilmington Youth Center, and served as an election judge.
Survivors include six children, Connie (the late Richard) Houdlett of Kankakee, Gary Woolwine of Naperville, Jim (Sue) Woolwine of Orinda, Calif., Dave (Tim McFarland) Woolwine of Kansas City, Mo., Mark (Joan) Woolwine of Plainfield, Ill., and Tom (Hedy) Woolwine of Des Moines, Iowa; 24 grandchildren; 38 great-grandchildren; and 15 great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Kathryn Chambers of Overland Park, Kan.; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends Jack and Madonna Orr of Verona, Ill., and Leona Yeates of Wilmington, Ill.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband and parents; a daughter, Peggy Chapman; two grandchildren, Susan Houdlett-Watrous and Don Chapman; a brother, Albert “Bud” (Lucille) Schutten; a sister, Verna Mae (Roy) Keeley; brothers- and sisters-in-law David Chambers, Cleo (Paul) Triplett, Lyle (Lillian) Woolwine, and Michael (Virginia) Byron.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Saturday Jan. 12, at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Saturday in Saint Rose Catholic Church, 624 South Kankakee St., Wilmington. The Rev. Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer will officiate. A memorial luncheon in Saint Rose School Hall will immediately follow the services.
Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Wilmington.
Pallbearers will be Gary Woolwine, Jim Woolwine, David Woolwine, Mark Woolwine, Tom Woolwine and Jack Orr.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Geraldine’s memory to Saint Rose School Endowment Fund, 626 South Kankakee St., Wilmington, IL 60481
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family at www.FRBfuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Matthew R. Baskerville, CFSP. For additional information, call (815) 476-2181.
