Vera Mae Held (Schickedanz), nee Wollard, 90, of Belleville, IL, died Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Waterloo, IL.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold G. and M. Pauline, nee Gray, Wollard; and two sisters, Dorothy Breeden and Marilyn Morris.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Anthony “Tony” Held; two children from a previous marriage, Dale (Cindy) Schickedanz of Fairview Heights, IL, and Rhonda (Gary) Kruse of Sun Prairie, WI; grandchildren, Dane (Heather) Schickedanz of St. Louis, MO, Ethan Kruse of Hyattsville, MD, Katie (Derrick) Rule of Colorado Springs, CO, Ross Kruse (Bridget Lavender) of Brooklyn, NY, Elena Kruse (Jalen Knutson) of Madison, WI; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by Tony’s children, Paul (Nancy) Held, Scott (Cindy) Held, and their children and grandchildren.
Vera retired as a service representative from Boatmen’s (Bank of America) in St. Louis in 1997 and enjoyed a long, happy retirement with Tony. She was a faithful member of Westminster (First United) Presbyterian Church in Belleville for nearly 70 years and an active volunteer for many organizations in the community.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Presbyterian Church, 1303 Royal Heights Road, Belleville, 62223 or Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 South Illinois, Belleville, 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Funeral: As a final act of kindness, Vera gifted her body to Saint Louis University School of Medicine. A memorial service is being planned for May.
