Sheila Ann Stitzel (nee Blauvelt) passed away unexpectedly at the age of 61 on August 1, 2026 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL with her daughter by her side, and the prayers of her numerous family members and close friends pouring in from around the country.
Sheila was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on April 19, 1965 to parents Audrey Helen (nee Meyer) and Frank Raymond Blauvelt, making the world an immediately brighter place. Sheila attended St. Ignatius of Loyola grade school and McAuley High School, both in Cincinnati. All throughout their lives, Sheila was referred to as her mother’s clone and shared a once in a lifetime bond with Audrey, stirring up a little bit of mischief wherever they went. Sheila made many friends through childhood and young adulthood, most notably her best friend of 47 years, Lisa Reder (nee Dettmer). Sheila and Lisa were inseparable starting at age 14 and built a friendship that spanned decades, distance, and many life milestones.
In 1984, Sheila met her spouse and life partner of 42 years, Gregory Scott Stitzel, working at the McDonald’s on North Bend Rd in Cincinnati. After four years of dating, Greg and Sheila married on May, 21, 1988 at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. They shared an adventurous, patient, resilient, and laughter filled marriage. In 1994, Sheila and Greg welcomed their first child, Benjamin Gregory. In 1997, Amanda Lee was born, completing their close knit family. Her children were the joy of her life and proudest accomplishment. Sheila was a dedicated, selfless, goofy, fun, and deeply loving mother.
Sheila enjoyed camping with her family, having a house full of kids, listening to her son play the piano, cooking extravagant dinners for her family, baking her famous dark chocolate brownies and banana bread, reading romance novels and chatting about them with her daughter, sitting outside with her dog to bird watch, and playing the card game 500 with Greg. Over their years together, thousands of games have been played with scores kept on the backs of envelopes and receipts. Undoubtably, Sheila holds the highest total score. Sheila loved all animals, her dark colored lipstick, caring for her numerous plants, watching the Cincinnati Reds, and listening to music with Greg- most notably, country and 80’s rock.
Every place she went, Sheila made many friends across multiple cities and states. With her loud laugh, vivacious personality, loyalty, and gifts of baked goods- she built a vast circle of friendships far and wide. She was always ready with a quick check-in message, a reassuring text, and her phone ready to take photos of her loved ones to cherish later. To know Sheila was to love her with her perfume and hairspray-scented hugs. She was generous with her heart.
Sheila is survived by her husband, Gregory Scott Stitzel and her beloved dog, Linus; her two children Benjamin (Melinda) and Amanda (Elliott) Roos (nee Stitzel), as well as her newborn granddaughter Gwendolyn Ruby, born to Ben and Melinda in July of 2026. Gwendolyn will grow up knowing the immense love her grandmother had for her. Sheila is survived by her two older brothers, Raymond Blauvelt (Jeanne) and Frank Blauvelt (Marianne), her nieces Jennifer (Justin) Potter (nee Blauvelt), Michelle Sargeant (nee Blauvelt), Tracy Blauvelt, Valerie (Chris) Blanton (nee Blauvelt) and her nephews Thomas (Shelah) Blauvelt, Ray Blauvelt Jr, and Matthew Blauvelt, as well as many great nieces and nephews, dear friends, and people whose lives she touched wherever she went.
Sheila is reunited in her death with her parents, Audrey (2018) and Frank Blauvelt (1970); as well as her sister, Diane Blauvelt (2017) and close friend Karen Keys Green (2022); and her many dogs and cats she loved throughout her life.
Per her request in support of the kids and animals she loved so much, in lieu of flowers, please make donations in her name to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, online or by mail to: 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 and/or the Belleville Area Humane Society, online or by mail to 1301 S. 11th St., Belleville, IL 62226. Online guestbook is available at www.wfh-ofallon.com.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am, Saturday, August 29, 2026 at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church, 5222 North Bend Rd. Cincinnati, OH. 45247. All are welcome to join the family in the reception hall following the service for a celebration of life. If you are willing and able, the family is inviting all in attendance to wear leopard print in honor of Sheila.
