Stella Violet (Cawthon) Landess

Stella Violet (Cawthon) Landess, age 96 of Pittsfield, IL and formerly of New Salem, IL passed away Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Eastside Healthcare and Rehabilitation in Pittsfield, IL. She was born April 13, 1928, in Pittsfield, IL to Otha and Ella Daniels Cawthon. Stella married Everett E. Landess February 28, 1948, in Piggott, Arkansas and he preceded her in death.

Violet attended Pittsfield schools and was of Christian faith. In early years, she worked as waitress at Pope’s Cafeteria in St. Louis. She spent most of her life as a homemaker and stay at home mom raising her family. Violet loved to dance and was a wonderful polka dancer, enjoyed reading books and watching westerns on television; and spending time playing cards, especially rummy, pitch and uno. Her family meant the most to her and she loved family reunions, joking and teasing with all the kids who lovingly called her ‘Aunt Vi’. She was a wonderful cook and was especially known for her fried chicken and chocolate pie. Violet was a down-home country girl that will be dearly missed by her family.

Violet is survived by daughters, Valerie (John) Bergschneider of Jacksonville, FL, Marty Landess of Canton, MO, and Cheryl Wilkinson of Edwardsville, IL; four grandchildren, Jaime Guthrie, Frank Eckhardt, II, Jason Bergschneider and Kelley Bergschneider; ten great grandchildren; three great great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews; and her beloved Dachshund, Dolly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otha and Ella Cawthon; sisters, Della Tolle, Eva Cawthon, and Josephine Hull; brothers, Bud Cawthon, Wilbur Cawthon, and Robert Cawthon; granddaughter, Caitlin Landess; and son-in-law, Percy Wilkinson.

Funeral service will be held at 11:30 AM, Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield with visitation held prior to the service from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Interment will follow the service at Gray Cemetery in New Salem. Memorials are suggested to be made to the family c/o Niebur Funeral Home. Online condolences may be left to the family at www.nieburfh.com. Niebur Funeral Home in Pittsfield is handling the arrangements.

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