Emilie Swartz

Emilie Swartz, age 98, of Florence, IL passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022 at Eastside Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield.   She was born on August 26, 1923 in Germany.  She married Merl W. Swartz in Petersburg, IL and he preceded her in death on January 18, 2009.

Emilie grew up in Germany and worked as a telephone operator during the Hitler era and she spoke about how she could remember him marching the troops on Sunday so the troops couldn’t attend church.  Her father built a bunker in their basement and they lived there for safety.  Emilie came to the United States in 1957 as a mail order catalog bride marrying Merl.  Her husband was a commercial fisherman and she helped him trap and fish and helped raise a huge produce garden for trade.  Emilie worked at Singing Hills restaurant for a few years then went on to work in Jacksonville at Cordite.  She was a devout Christian and member of Pittsfield Calvary Baptist Church.  She was very faithful to God, knowledgeable about the bible, and loyal to her church.  Emilie raised flowers and had a huge flower garden.  She was an excellent cook and made delicious cakes and pies.  Emilie was a strong willed German woman and had a good heart and strong mind.

She is survived by a niece, Minnie Lou Swartz of Jacksonville, IL and nephews, Ray (Leona) Swartz, Jim (Brenda) Swartz, and Rex (Janice) Swartz, all of Detroit, IL; and many great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Merl Swartz; parents; and two sisters, Anne Marie Gerke and Trudy Brown.

Graveside services will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Blue River Cemetery near Detroit, IL.  Memorials are suggested to be made to Blue River Cemetery.  Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com.  Niebur Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

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