Barbara A. Schmedake, 80, of Granite City, Illinois passed away at 6:04 p.m. on Monday, October 14, 2024, at Memorial Hospital East in Shiloh, Illinois. She was born January 26, 1944, in Granite City, a daughter of the late Arthur and Viola (Reiss) Lindner. She married James R. “Jim” Schmedake on April 11, 1964, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Granite City and he passed away on February 23, 2005. Barbara retired from the Granite City High School after fifteen years of service as a teacher’s aide. She was a faithful member of Holy Family Catholic Church and was a member of the quilters guild and the Knights of Columbus Ladie’s Auxiliary. She enjoyed volunteering with the Tri Cities Area Association for the Handicapped and many years of helping with Special Olympics. She enjoyed attending her breakfast groups and card clubs and loved her days of walking and playing cards. Barbara will be remembered for the love and special times shared with her family and friends. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, Joseph Schmedake of Granite City and Thomas (Nisa Kalambaheti) Schmedake of Charlotte, North Carolina; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn (Steve) Lubak of O’Fallon, Illinois; five grandchildren, Luke Schmedake, Samuel Schmedake, Alexander Lubak, Nina Schmedake and Macy Lubak; a sister and brother-in-law, Shirley (Edward) Cremer of California; two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Bonnie (Rich) Kowalski of Virginia and Nancy (Edward) Miller of California; nieces; nephews; other extended family and friends. In addition to her beloved husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Beatrice James and Norma Abenroth. In celebration of her life, visitation will be at Irwin Chapel, 3960 Maryville Road in Granite City on Friday, October 25, 2024, from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 2606 Washington Avenue in Granite City at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 26, 2024, with Father Steve Thompson as celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorials may be made to Holy Family Catholic Church and may be accepted at the funeral chapel. www.irwinchapel.com
