Service Details
A memorial service will be held at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 322 Ohio St., Racine, WI at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday, April 6, 2024. The family will be greeting friends and relatives at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the beginning of the memorial service. Private burial service will be at North Bristol Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial Suggestions
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to Lutheran Church of the Resurrection or any animal rescue organization. Condolences may be left on Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home and Crematory online guest book at www.draeger-langendorf.com
Mary Jill Schwartz, known to her friends as “Just Jill”, passed away on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at Ascension All Saints Hospital, in Racine, Wisconsin. She was born June 30th, 1953 at St. Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri to Elmer Henry and Eula Merry Young.
Jill grew up in Cape Girardeau, where she lived with her parents and two sisters, Carol Louise and Beverly Ann. The family moved to Metropolis, Illinois in 1958, following their father’s employment with IGA Food Stores. Jill graduated from Metropolis Community High school in 1971, and furthered her education at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wisconsin where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in speech communication and theater arts in 1976 and a Master’s of Education in 1989. After graduating from Carthage with her bachelor’s degree, Jill was employed at Eaton Corporation and Snap-On Tools. Upon achieving her Master’s of Education, she was employed with Racine Unified School District, retiring as an English teacher, specializing in William Shakespeare studies and holding the position as department chair at J. I. Case High School. Never one to shun work, Jill travelled extensively, pursuing her love of everything Shakespeare, all the while teaching at various academic positions in the Kenosha/Racine area.
Jill married Donald Dean Schwartz in October, 1980 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Metropolis, Illinois, where they celebrated by surrounding themselves with lifelong college and work friends. They moved to Racine, where Jill pursued her teaching career. She and Don were happily married for 40 years until he passed away in 2021. Jill was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma International Teacher’s Society and a member of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Racine, Wisconsin. Here she was active in numerous events and celebrations in the church, becoming locally famous for her culinary feats, especially her cheesecake. She was also an active animal rescue advocate and was responsible for rescue placement throughout the United States.
Jill was preceded in death by her husband Don, her parents, Eula and Elmer, and her older sister, Carol. She is survived by her older sister Beverly Ann (Becky) Speckman of Harker Heights, Texas.
The family would like to thank Ascension All-Saints Hospital, Rachel Peña and Ryan Chadek for their kindness and compassion during Jill’s illnesses.
Suzanne Kristopeit says
So sorry to see this! Jill and Don would wrap presents at Barnes and Noble every Christmas when I worked there. They were always so kind. My condolences.
Pat Green says
I miss Jill’s smiling face at our Friday chair yoga class.
Kathi Turner (DeGrand) says
Jill was a great teacher – one of my favorites growing up. My condolences to the family.
Steve and Audrey Schuh says
Steve and I so enjoyed our conversations with Jill at Chadek get togethers. She was so filled with fun and we always learned something interesting. Wonderful lady.
Terry Backmann says
So sorry to learn of Jill’s passing. We shared a love of the English language and of laughter. She was truly one in a million. She and Don were a good team. I hope she has the room on the other side laughing hard.
The Rasmussen’s says
Jill and Don were both such kind souls We will miss her “treats” she brought over as well as her outspoken self ! Happy to know she is at peace now and can go see Don
Judith Heck says
In certain hope of the resurrection of Christ, I am sending my condolences to Jill’s family. I knew Jill at Carthage college. More recently, we attended yoga at Yoga Roots.
Cheryl Williams says
Jill was a great friend from Carthage. She was so funny, had a great disposition, and had a kind heart. I’ll miss getting together with her for “High Tea” which we had done lately with a couple others from Carthage. Her and Don sure were a great couple together. She will be missed, but we know she is out of pain and reunited with Don and her other loved ones.
God Bless you Jill.
Anonymous says
I had Mrs. Schwartz as a teacher, I remember her fondly.
Carol Schiele says
Jill was a great friend. I will miss her laugh and smile. Her loving friendship went beyond people it also included dogs.
She will be missed but she is reunited with Don and the dogs.
Jolene Anderson Morris says
I remember Jill and her wonderful humor and compassion from Carthage College. Periodically through the years I was able to see her and knew of her love of teaching, her love of Don, and her continued love of life with laughter and care of others. She is at peace.
Melvina Lube says
Wow what a lady she was! She was always willing to assist if it was in her talented area. She spoke up when many remained silent. I collect quotes one Jill’s was “There wasn’t a day she didn’t feel loved by her husband Don!” I will miss the Joy she expressed, her dramatic voice when reading the spoken words, her gratitude, her sense of presence , her family stories about a family business, past students she was so proud to know how they were doing, and most of all her love for Church of the Resurection
Julie Trafton says
So sorry to hear about Jill passing away. I remember her when she was an active member of Racine Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and she served 2 years as Pi Chapter President. Her smile is something I will remember. Praying for Jill’s family and friends. Julie Trafton, President of Racine Pi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International
Tammy Hayward says
I taught in the room next to Jill at Case for some time. I enjoyed her sense of humor. Don was a good friend to my husband as the two farm boys went to tractor pulls etc . Now they can be together again.
Anonymous says
Jill, you we’re great. I hope you Will rest in peace.
Stan McDaniel, Valencia, Spain.
Gabrielle Shimada says
I did not know Jill super long. She was regular at Bendtsen’s Bakery where I work. She was one of my favorite customers! I always knew her when she called. I can’t think of our cinnamon roll kringle without thinking of Jill. We connected on our mutual love for Shakespeare. She will be missed dearly, she was such a wonderful woman!