Lois J. Spaniol

CHARLESTON, IL – Lois J. Spaniol, age 86 of Charleston, went to her Heavenly Home on Thursday, August 30, 2018 while at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.  The Funeral Mass honoring and celebrating her life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 921 Madison Avenue in Charleston, with Father Hyland Smith officiating.  Praying the Rosary will begin at 10:30 a.m., prior to the Mass.  In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in her honor may be made to the Coles County SWCD Foundation Scholarship and may be left at the Mass or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

Lois was born January 21, 1932 in Flanagan, Illinois the third of four daughters born to the late John and Mary (Grieser) Gaspardo.  She was Valedictorian of the 1950 graduating class at Cornell High School and on June 12, 1952 married her high school sweetheart, Roland Dean “Rollie” Spaniol.  They were blessed with 65 years of marriage prior to his death on February 7th of this year.  Left to cherish her memory are four children, Mike (Carolyn) Spaniol of Sunriver, Oregon, Jane (Jeff) Johns of Williamsport, Indiana, Dr. Jack (Colleen) Spaniol of Bloomington, Illinois, and Lee (Connie) Spaniol of Lerna, Illinois; a daughter-in-law, Shari (Mark) Buchellew of Bloomington, Illinois; fifteen grandchildren, David (Stacey) Gant, Jeremiah (Jessica) Johns, Jacob (Tracy) Johns, Joy (Adam) Burton, Julia (Bryan) Kroeze, Jenna (Daniel) Osborne, Jordan (Hailey) Johns, Zack Spaniol, Nick (Brooke) Spaniol, Jacqueline Spaniol, Kailee Spaniol, Lauren Spaniol, Kaitlin (Myles) Titus, Scott (Sara) Spaniol, Jessica (Brian) Swenson; fourteen great-grandchildren; and her sisters, Marjorie Pickworth of Elwood, Illinois, Delores Kelly of Cornell, Illinois and Sister Joyce Gaspardo of Santa Monica, California.  Lois was also preceded in death by two sons, Alan Dean Spaniol and Bill Spaniol.

Lois’s chosen career as a wife, mother and homemaker gave her the opportunity to volunteer her time with various community and civic organizations.  Following the move to Charleston in 1960, Lois became the Welcome Wagon Lady and was able to welcome others to the Charleston community.  She was anactive member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, assisted with Meals on Wheels deliveries, was a Girl Scout Troop leader, and a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha service organization.  Lois was an honored recipient of the Jefferson Award recognizing her for public service, going above and beyond, to better her community.  Like her husband she was a dedicated tree farmer and conservationist.  She was a member of both the National and Illinois Walnut Council and along with Rollie was recognized as Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for their excellent forest management of their tree farm.

Wonderful memories of Lois as “THE BEST” mom, grandma and great-grandma will be forever treasured by her family.