Lois Jean Waeltz, 74, of New Athens, IL, born January 19, 1948 in Belleville, IL to Calvin and the late Delow (Wallace) Fruth, passed away peacefully surrounded by family at the Coulterville Rehabilitation & Health Care Center on Tuesday May 17, 2022. After graduating from Marissa Senior High School, she went on to graduate from Southeast Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s degree in education with a concentration on music. She was the first woman to play in SEMO’s Stage Band. As a member of SEMO’s Marching Band, she got to march in the Rose Bowl Parade. Mrs. Waeltz was a devoted educator at many southern Illinois grade schools with her last 20 years or so at New Athens Community Unit District #60 before retiring in 2003 as the director of the grade school and high school chorale and band programs. She also directed and co-directed the school plays. Lois was also very instrumental in the formation of the Open House theater and directed and co-directed those plays too. After retirement, she was honored by New Athens School District #60 by awarding The Lois Waeltz Band Award to select graduating students for their excellence in music.
She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Belleville Chapter 5009IL, Waterloo Municipal Band (performer and co-conductor), the New Athens and Marissa Historical Societies and the New Athens Lions Club. She enjoyed many travels with her husband, family members and friends, including two European trips entirely focused on genealogy research. Lois also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, quilting and hosting holiday family gatherings.
Mrs. Waeltz was preceded in death by her mother – Delow Fruth, her beloved husband of 36 years – Robert L. “Bob” Waeltz, whom she married on May 24, 1980, and who passed away on April 11, 2017, and her sister – Linda (Fruth) Petot.
Lois is survived by her father – Calvin Fruth, one brother – Craig Fruth, both of Marissa, IL, nephews – Benjamin (Jess) Petot of Trenton, IL, Jacob Fruth and Zachary Fruth of Seattle, WA, aunt & best friend – Alice Waeltz of Belleville, IL, Goddaughters – Nancy Knapp and Alllison Knapp, both of Bellleville, IL, numerous cousins and friends, both near and far, and by the countless students she taught to have an appreciation and understanding of music.
The Lois Waeltz family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at Memorial Hospital, including BJC Hospice, and the Coulterville Care Center, and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their dedication and compassion towards Lois and her family over the last few months of her illness. Also, a warmhearted thank you to her family, neighbors and friends for their love and support during her illness and multiple hospitalizations.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be made to Trinity Church Cemetery Fund in Biddleborn, IL.
Condolences to the family maybe expressed online at www.heilschuessler.com.
Visitation: Friends and family will be gathering from 10 a.m. till 1 p.m. on Saturday May 21, 2022 at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL.
Funeral: Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday May 21, 2022 at Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL with Pastor Doug Stewart officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity UCC Church Cemetery in Biddleborn, IL.
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens, IL is in charge of arrangements.
My sympathy to the family. I remember Lois as such a bright girl and Linda’s older sister as I was in Linda’s MTHS class our Freshman/Sophomore years. I wrote to Lois after I learned that Linda had been ill and passed away. So sad to see that she, too, dealt with such a passing.
ReplyLois was such a special lady. I’ve known her for quite awhile, first as a member of our Waterloo Municipal Band, playing the bassoon, and then as a conductor. She really brought us up to a level of musicianship we hadn’t seen in the past, paying attention to dynamics, phrasing, etc. I loved her light hearted attitude with us and her serious conducting side during our concerts. She will be long remembered and very much missed!
ReplyLois was a special person. She was a true professional and friend. Her humor and smile is what I think of first. She will be so missed. I enjoyed having her as one of our conductors of the Waterloo Municipal Band. We had many conversations about genealogy and I hope her family continues her family research. She was very special to many and Don and I share our heartfelt sympathies to her family. We wish you peace and comfort.
ReplyMy deepest condolences to Mr. Calvin Fruth, Craig, and the rest of the family and friends who so dearly loved Lois. She had always been a dear friend to me. I appreciate what a wonderful, talented, hardworking, brilliant lady she was! Lois was amazing! How lucky I was to get to meet her as soon as I moved to Marissa in 7th grade and move back to Marissa and see her again in the late part of my life! We shared the saxophone section in Mr. Crowder’s Grade School Band. Then in high school, Lois, Calvin Twenhoefel and I were the Three Amigos in our best and most well-loved class …Band, Stage Band, and playing saxophone trios. May we meet again! Love and peace, dear friend!
❤️
Lea Rea Richey Barrett
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Waeltz hfamily and their friends during this difficult time. 🙏🏻
ReplyMy sincere sympathy to Cal and Craig. As former neighbors we shared many happy times.
ReplyLois will truly be missed by a lot of folks. She was not just a cousin by mariage, she was one of my true friends, we called our selves sisters. We talked about a lot of things and we told each other things we could not say to others.. We were so close. We also did genealogy together. we talked to each other at least once a week. Together we solved all the problems in the world. When I lived in Florida Lois and Bob came down a few times to visit and we really enjoyed that time together. We could spend hours talking and solving the world problems. She was so happy that Sussie helped her a lot and she dearly loved her Aunt Alice, She talked about her sister Linda and her brother and her father. Lois had a big heart and she loved everyone. And she let it be known to everyone that she did not and could not cook. Another important thing to Lois was her school band, she loved it so much. We will miss you Lois
ReplyMy deepest condolences to Calvin, Craig, Ben & Jess and all who knew & loved Lois. She was a treasure to me as we became even closer through the passing of her sister and my sister in law Linda Petot. I loved them both and considered them my sisters. May they R. I. P with the angels & Our Savior Jesus Christ. I will never forget their love & kindness to me over the years. Beautiful ladies and great sisters. I learned a lot from both of them & forever grateful for their friendship.
ReplyMy deepest condolences to Cal, Craig and all of Lois’ family. She was always so helpful to the Marissa Historical Society, serving as vice-president for many years. The Society will miss her and I most certainly will. Thought and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.
ReplyMy deepest sympathy to the family! Lois was truly a special person always willing to help her students and always ready to give of herself. She loved her music
ReplyOur condolences to the family. Lois was a great neighbor and wonderful person.
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Our condolences to the family. Lois was a great neighbor and wonderful person.
My deepest condolences to Cal, Craig and all of Lois’ family. She was always so helpful to the Marissa Historical Society, serving as vice-president for many years. The Society will miss her and I most certainly will. Thought and prayers go out to her family during this difficult time.
My deepest sympathy to the family! Lois was truly a special person always willing to help her students and always ready to give of herself. She loved her music
My deepest condolences to Calvin, Craig, Ben & Jess and all who knew & loved Lois. She was a treasure to me as we became even closer through the passing of her sister and my sister in law Linda Petot. I loved them both and considered them my sisters. May they R. I. P with the angels & Our Savior Jesus Christ. I will never forget their love & kindness to me over the years. Beautiful ladies and great sisters. I learned a lot from both of them & forever grateful for their friendship.
Lois will truly be missed by a lot of folks. She was not just a cousin by mariage, she was one of my true friends, we called our selves sisters. We talked about a lot of things and we told each other things we could not say to others.. We were so close. We also did genealogy together. we talked to each other at least once a week. Together we solved all the problems in the world. When I lived in Florida Lois and Bob came down a few times to visit and we really enjoyed that time together. We could spend hours talking and solving the world problems. She was so happy that Sussie helped her a lot and she dearly loved her Aunt Alice, She talked about her sister Linda and her brother and her father. Lois had a big heart and she loved everyone. And she let it be known to everyone that she did not and could not cook. Another important thing to Lois was her school band, she loved it so much. We will miss you Lois
My sincere sympathy to Cal and Craig. As former neighbors we shared many happy times.
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Waeltz hfamily and their friends during this difficult time. 🙏🏻
Lois was a special person. She was a true professional and friend. Her humor and smile is what I think of first. She will be so missed. I enjoyed having her as one of our conductors of the Waterloo Municipal Band. We had many conversations about genealogy and I hope her family continues her family research. She was very special to many and Don and I share our heartfelt sympathies to her family. We wish you peace and comfort.
My deepest condolences to Mr. Calvin Fruth, Craig, and the rest of the family and friends who so dearly loved Lois. She had always been a dear friend to me. I appreciate what a wonderful, talented, hardworking, brilliant lady she was! Lois was amazing! How lucky I was to get to meet her as soon as I moved to Marissa in 7th grade and move back to Marissa and see her again in the late part of my life! We shared the saxophone section in Mr. Crowder’s Grade School Band. Then in high school, Lois, Calvin Twenhoefel and I were the Three Amigos in our best and most well-loved class …Band, Stage Band, and playing saxophone trios. May we meet again! Love and peace, dear friend!
❤️
Lea Rea Richey Barrett
Lois was such a special lady. I’ve known her for quite awhile, first as a member of our Waterloo Municipal Band, playing the bassoon, and then as a conductor. She really brought us up to a level of musicianship we hadn’t seen in the past, paying attention to dynamics, phrasing, etc. I loved her light hearted attitude with us and her serious conducting side during our concerts. She will be long remembered and very much missed!
My sympathy to the family. I remember Lois as such a bright girl and Linda’s older sister as I was in Linda’s MTHS class our Freshman/Sophomore years. I wrote to Lois after I learned that Linda had been ill and passed away. So sad to see that she, too, dealt with such a passing.