Magdalene Frances Hermeling, nee Vollmer, 92, born November 16, 1931, in Looking Glass Township, IL, died Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Chesterfield, MO. Maggie was surrounded by family, all deeply grateful for many wonderful years with a loving and adored Mom, Grandma, and Great-Grandma.
The middle child of five siblings, Maggie was raised in New Baden, IL. She later moved to Belleville, IL, with her family. Maggie worked for 40+ years at Schickedanz Insurance Agency. After retirement, she became a joyful and encouraging water aerobics instructor at the East Belleville YMCA for over a decade. Maggie was a beloved member of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville, IL. In her later years of life, she was a treasured neighbor and friend at Sunrise Senior Living in Chesterfield, MO and Brookdale West County in Ballwin, MO.
Many will remember Maggie for her sparkling blue eyes, kind and ever-present smile and cheerful, optimistic personality. Maggie was a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, friend, and aunt that deeply cared about everyone. She never forgot a birthday message or card. Maggie was well-known for her lovely singing voice and loved to cook. She enjoyed playing bingo which earned her the nickname “Lucky”. Maggie was also an animal lover and especially fond of cats, including her treasured pets, Midge and Heidi.
Maggie was preceded in death by her husband and life-long love of 45 years, Edwin George Hermeling. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Mathilda, nee Griesbaum, Vollmer; and her sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Ben Wilken, Ann and George Romack, Jerome Korte, Leo and Clara Schulte, Raymond Hermeling, and Ferd and Helen Von Bokel.
Maggie is survived by and will be deeply missed by her loving daughter, Mary Jo Conley-Whitford (Doug) of Wildwood, MO; her grandchildren, Ryan Conley-Lin (Chun) of Prosper, TX, Jennifer (late Jason) Nesbit of Wildwood, MO, Eric Whitford (Suzanne) of Wildwood, MO, and Doug Whitford (Michele) of Manchester, MO; and seven great-grandchildren, Connor and Carlee Whitford, Austin and Jordan Nesbit, Kai and Cora Conley-Lin, and Nolan Whitford. She is also survived by her brother, Frank Vollmer (Mildred) of Belleville, IL; her sister, Dorothy Korte of Jacksonville, IL; and a large loving group of nieces, nephews, and extended family, across the Greater St. Louis area and beyond.
Memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Humane Society. Condolences may be expressed online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends, family, and neighbors are invited to celebrate Maggie’s 92 years of life and may join the family from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home in Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Cathedral of St. Peter Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial and Memorial Service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Cathedral of St. Peter Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Burial will be at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.
