Caroleen Ann Yaeger

Caroleen Ann Yaeger, nee Billhartz, 100, of Mascoutah, IL,        born Feb. 4, 1918 on a farm near New Baden, IL, died Thursday, May 10, 2018 at Dammert Geriatric Center, Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville, IL.
Caroleen graduated from St. George Parochial grade school and New Baden High School in 1936.  She attended SIU Carbondale, then taught at Liebig School, a one room schoolhouse, in rural Mascoutah.

Caroleen was a member of Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah, IL; St. Ann Altar Society; a charter member of the Holy Childhood Mother’s Club; charter member of the Ursuline Sisters Auxiliary; she was instrumental in the formation of the Mascoutah City swimming pool; delivered Meals on Wheels; and was an Extraordinary Minister, both at church and at the nursing homes in Mascoutah.

Throughout her life, she was devoted to her family, her husband, eight children and her grandchildren.  Mother always stressed the importance of education and was especially proud that all eight of her children graduated from college and most of them received advanced degrees.  She was a wonderful homemaker and a welcoming host for all family, friends, and visitors.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Carie, nee Trankley, Billhartz; her husband, Herbert Emil Yaeger, whom she married in Davenport, IA on July 5, 1940 and who died Oct. 27, 2002; a beloved son, Roger Yaeger; brothers, Orville, Joseph, Edmund, and Richard Billhartz; and many sisters-in-law and family members.

Caroleen is survived by her beloved children, Dwight (Paula) Yaeger of Mascoutah, Dale (Sharon) Yaeger of Crossville, TN, Mary Yaeger (B.L. Shipp) of Shelbyville, KY, Kathy Yaeger of Hawaii and Florida, Bill (Barb) Yaeger of Charlotte, NC, Connie (Mark) Miller of Eureka, MO, and Jane (John) Roundtree of Fenton, MO; 13 grandchildren, Caroline Irving, Leah (Jim) Black, Elisa (David) Romani, Teresa (Guy) Wolf, David (Lisa) Yaeger, Jacob (Sara) Drabik, Matthew (Shelly) Yaeger, Patrick (Megan) Yaeger, Meredith (Sterling) Hall, Stephanie (Tyler) Coyle, Greg Miller, Julia Roundtree and Jaclyn Roundtree; 11 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Holy Childhood School; or Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

VISITATION: Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2018 at Holy Childhood Catholic Church in Mascoutah, IL.

FUNERAL: A funeral Mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2018 at the church  with Father Paul Wienhoff officiating. Burial will follow in Holy Childhood Catholic Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.