Carol Jean Sterthman (nee Schmidt), 88, of O’Fallon, IL, born on November 19, 1937, in Belleville, IL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Cedar Ridge Nursing Home and Rehab in Lebanon, IL.
After high school, Carol married her husband, Elmer “Sonny” Sterthman, in 1958 and moved to O’Fallon, IL, where she became a member of the O’Fallon United Church of Christ. Carol served 12 years on the district 90 School Board, while on the school board she started the O’Fallon District 90 school picnic at the May Fest. Room mother at Laverna Evans school while her boys were raised, started the Halloween fun fair at the school, ran the tennis tournament at the O’Fallon Homecoming for years. Worked at St. Clair Tennis Club for 30 years and was an avid tennis and golf player. Heavily involved in arts and crafts.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Helen Schmidt (nee Sink); her beloved husband, Elmer “Sonny” Sterthman; sister, Joyce Hindman; and one great grandson, Jackson Sneed.
Left to cherish Carol’s memory are her children, Steven C. Sterthman of Blue Springs, MO, Ty L. (Amy) Sterthman of O’Fallon, IL; and three grandchildren, Shelbee T. (Caleb) Sneed, Taylor L. Sterthman, Kyle Klees and one great grandson Beckett J. Sneed.
A visitation will take place on Friday August 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., at the Schildknecht Funeral Home, 301 S. Lincoln Ave., O’Fallon, IL 62269.
Funeral services will take place on Friday August 7, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., at the funeral home, with Rev. Bob Goddard officiating.
Burial will be held at Lakeview Memorial Gardens; 5000 N. Illinois St., Fairview Heights, IL 62208.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Schildknecht Funeral Home.
