Charlene Lucille Schultz

CHARLENE SCHULTZ

JERSEYVILLE – Charlene Lucille Schultz, 86, passed away peacefully at 11:55 p.m., Friday, January 24, 2025 at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville.

Born on May 11, 1938, in Beardstown, Illinois, Charlene was the daughter of the late Charles and Lucille (Brown) Pettet. She graduated with the Class of 1956 from Beardstown High School and went on to obtain her nursing degree from Holy Cross Central Nursing School in South Bend, Indiana.

On May 5, 1962, Charlene married the love of her life, John Schultz Jr., at Saint Alexius Catholic Church in Beardstown. Their marriage was a testament to devotion, spanning 60 beautiful years before his passing on June 25, 2022. Together, they were blessed with three children and built a life centered around family.

Charlene began her nursing career at the former Our Saviors Hospital in Jacksonville and later served at Greenwood Manor in Jerseyville, where she worked for many years. Re entering the workforce after the birth of her youngest son, she shifted her focus to teaching, educating hundreds of students through CNA courses at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey. Teaching was not just a job for Charlene – it was her passion. She poured her heart into her lessons, instilling both skills and confidence in her students. Her dedication shaped hundreds of future healthcare professionals, and many of her former students fondly recall how her encouragement and mentorship inspired their own careers in nursing, not only the technical aspects of their profession but also the compassion and empathy needed to truly care for others.

In addition to teaching, Charlene worked at Jack’s Hallmark in Jerseyville, where she shared her warm personality and thoughtful nature with countless customers until the store’s closure.

Following her retirement, Charlene continued her legacy of giving back by volunteering at Jersey Community Hospital, where she served as a front desk receptionist and helped at the hospital’s Hope Chest resale shop.

In her younger years, Charlene enjoyed bowling at Bush’s Bowling Alley in Jerseyville and participating in her card club with her closest friends. She also had a deep appreciation for the arts, attending performances at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis with her sister, Maxie. These outings were a treasured tradition, filled with joy and laughter.

Affectionately known as “Nano” by her grandchildren, Charlene’s life revolved around her family. Her home was a gathering place filled with warmth, love, and laughter. She had an open-door policy, offering her children and their friends unconditional support and a listening ear. She and John were avid supporters of their children’s and grandchildren’s activities, rarely missing a sporting event or milestone moment.

Charlene’s legacy is one of love, kindness, and unwavering support, leaving an indelible mark on her family and all who knew her.

She is survived her three children and their spouses, John J. and Kim (Test) Schultz of Pittsfield, Beth (Schultz) and Steve White of Jerseyville, and Matt and Karrie (Schulte) Schultz of Jerseyville; 11 grandchildren, Christa (Bridgewater) and Brian “Pokey” Dunsing of Jerseyville, Jennifer Bridgewater of Jerseyville, Kaity (Schultz) and Dodson McPherson of Pittsfield, John M. Schultz (Cassidy) of Pittsfield and Logan Schultz, Jackson Schultz, Dayton Varble, Maebre Varble, Keegan Varble, Scarlett Schultz and Stella Schultz, all of Jerseyville; 5 great grandchildren, Brynn and Brock Dunsing and Ryhs and Ret McPherson, Ainsley Abbott, along with another great grandchild on the way; as well as her sister, Maxine Somers of Jerseyville.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Lori Schultz.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Graveside services will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Jerseyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Francis/Holy Ghost Catholic School Athletic Department or to the Jersey Community Hospital Foundation’s Hope Chest, causes that were close to Charlene’s heart. 

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