By Jim Meridith
Posted: Updated:
24 Comments
  • Visitation

    Saturday, August 14, 2021

    1:00 to 5:00 pm

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

  • Service

    There will be no service.

  • Full Obituary

    Michelle R. Genteman, 55, of Highland, IL, passed away Saturday, August 7, 2021, at her home.

    Her daughter, Olivia, brought her great joy and was the focus of Michelle’s tremendous capacity to love and nurture.

    Michelle shared this abundant gift in her professional life as a school psychologist. She was employed by the East St. Louis District 189 using her advanced studies in psychology from SIUE to help children.

    Michelle had a great passion for gardening and decorating; rewarded for her efforts with the Yard-of-the-Month Award in August 2020.

    Michelle loved to hike and travel, visit with friends, and listen to music. Her amazing smile was the first clue of the tremendously warm and loving soul she had.

    Michelle is survived by her daughter, Olivia Genteman, Highland, IL.

    Memorials may be made to Olivia Genteman.

    Visitation: Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.

    Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL

Condolences are reviewed and published within 24 hours.

24 Condolences
 
  1. Kiaundra Smith / August 12, 2021 at 10:21 am

    My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Michelle. She was a sweet spirit and an outstanding colleague.

  2. Mindi Rendleman / August 12, 2021 at 10:57 am

    My deepest condolences to the family. I worked with Michelle at Vivian Adams. She was the sweetest, most kind and loving person. Michelle helped so many students.

  3. Kendra Jones / August 12, 2021 at 12:22 pm

    Michelle was such a loving caring person she will be truly miss…Sending my condolences to her family..🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

  4. Shannon Green / August 12, 2021 at 2:45 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss. She was such a kind soul. I appreciate all of the help she gave my Mom. She was such a great friend and neighbor to her. Prayers to Olivia as she navigates this tragedy! Michelle will truly be missed.

  5. Michele Walter / August 12, 2021 at 2:59 pm

    Michelle was a person that could always bring a smile to my face! Her excitement for a new adventure and her love of life always showed through. She had such compassion for others and cared about everyone! She was an amazing mother and friend!

  6. Diana Stapleton / August 12, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss! She was extremely important and special to me and will miss her. I’m grateful I had her in my life and will always remember our fun times together. Goodbye my friend, I’ll miss you, but always remember your smile.

  7. Gaileen H / August 12, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    Michelle was a cheerful point of light.. As a positive, kind, empathic individual she used her gifts and energy to help others and to embrace life. My thoughts and prayers are sent to her daughter.

  8. Lisa Rolen / August 12, 2021 at 7:52 pm

    The world has lost another light. Deepest sympathy Olivia. I worked with your mom at BASSC. I will always remember her sweet smile and her crazy fun spirit. Fly with the Angels Michelle

  9. Michelle Schnepel / August 12, 2021 at 8:06 pm

    There are no words, except I am so sorry! Michelle RIP you were such a sweet loving person!

  10. Becky Kimberlin / August 12, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    I have such fond memories of growing up with Michelle in Lakeland Terrace, at school and after high school. She was always such a fun spirit. My thoughts and prayers go out to Olivia and her family.

  11. Amy / August 12, 2021 at 10:34 pm

    I have many fond memories of Michelle from grade school, high school and working together. She was always smiling, full of life and was such a fun person and good friend. I will miss her and pray for her daughter Olivia during this difficult time. RIP my dear friend 😢💔

  12. Mellaney Gray / August 12, 2021 at 11:41 pm

    I have worked with Michelle beginning my start with district 189 over 5 years ago. She was intelligent, passionate about her work, respectful, gentle, and kind. She thought the world of her daughter. We last spoke of retirement, and she looked forward to making more trips out west to hike, enjoy nature, and spend more time with her daughter. We are devastated you are gone, and you will be sorely missed. We send prayers of peace and comfort to your family.

  13. Travis M / August 13, 2021 at 8:34 am

    With the passing of a loved one we lose their physical presence but what remains is the their spirit within us, years of their influence, and memories that everyday remind us that they are still with us each and every day. My deepest sympathy.

  14. Maria Norkus / August 13, 2021 at 9:21 am

    My deepest condolences to her daughter Olivia! Michelle was a wonderful woman, always willing to help anybody, friendly, compassionate, hard worker and a lovely woman, She is going to be missed! My deepest sympathy, RIP!

  15. Mary beth Broughton / August 13, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    My deepest sympathy goes to the family. My thoughts prayers and love hugs going to the family Michelle was a beautiful person inside and outside. And a wonderful friend I will miss her very much

  16. Susan Wellen / August 13, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    My deepest sympathy to Olivia and the whole family. I have so many fond memories from Girl Scouts and campouts to swimming at the pool. In High School even though we were in different schools we always would talk, laugh, and have so much fun. I will never forget our faces when I walked into a college class that I was taking later in life and who was my substitute teacher but Michelle. We were both in shock and then had a good old belly laugh together. She will be so missed. Sending peace and love to Olivia and her family.

  17. Bonnie Mitchel / August 13, 2021 at 4:24 pm

    I am so sad to learn of Michelle’s passing. We worked together years ago for Madison County Region ll Special Education Coop. She had a zany sense of humor and didn’t take herself too seriously. Her energy was infectious. May her memory be a blessing.

  18. Rhondell A Berry Bennett / August 13, 2021 at 5:13 pm

    Rhondell B.B. August 13, 2021

    There aren’t enough words or expressions of emotions to truly state the feelings of those of us who worked with Michelle. I remember the first day that she came into our department of Special Education. She sat in the cubicle in front of mine. We would engage in conversations and most of them were about her daughter, Olivia. She was a very proud mother. She was a great colleague and friend. The intimate moments we shared were always very helpful and special. Michelle will always be on my mind and heart. Friends always.

  19. Sharon Crockett / August 13, 2021 at 9:18 pm

    My deepest sympathy goes out to the family of Michelle especially the light of her life, Olivia. You were always the topic of discussion. She loved you dearly! May God comfort you and keep you through this period. Michelle and I worked together in the Special Education Department in School District 189.

  20. April Koenig / August 14, 2021 at 8:25 am

    Michelle’s passing is heartbreaking. She was always so effervescent in her words and actions. Just fun! So many fond memories from kindergarten to graduation, Girl Scout trips, camping, sledding, ice skating, swimming, crazy hairdos, chapstick collections, dancing, school projects and better yet the simple things like walking home together or just hanging around and swinging on that giant swing set in their backyard. She will forever be a large part of my childhood.
    While I am no longer living in Highland and have missed out on almost all of her adult life; it is still very clear to me that through her career choices, life accomplishments and her beautiful daughter Olivia, Michelle gave much to this world and for 55 years we were all blessed by her.
    Rest In Peace.

  21. Shai Foster / August 14, 2021 at 8:55 am

    Olivia no words can express the sadness I have with your mothers loss. She was a gentle, kind person, who touched so many people in her personal and professional life. She will be deeply missed by all that knew her. Her love for you was like nothing I’ve ever seen. I know you are going to miss her horribly. Without a doubt you will always have the most fierce guardian angel by your side, guiding you through life. She made you a strong women just like her and you will get through this. Once again, I’m so sorry for you loss.

  22. Regina Luster / August 14, 2021 at 4:58 pm

    I am so sorry for your loss Olivia, you know of course you were pride and joy. I enjoyed working with her in special education and the East St. Louis school district. We worked Periodically together at building since 2008. She was very intelligent and was very engaged and concerned about our children. y condolences. Know that He will give you strength🙏🏽🙏🏽🕊🕊Sincerely Regina Luster

  23. Todd Plocher / August 15, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    I am so deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Michelle. She brought so much light to this world with her smile and fun spirit. Although we went to different high schools, we quickly became friends after working together with her sister Marlise at KFC. Michelle’s smile and laughter made it impossible not to have fun around her. I know she touched so many people and helped to make this world a better place. My heart and prayers go out to her family and especially to her daughter Olivia. I know she loved you more than anything. Rest in peace. Gone but never forgotten.

  24. Wes Holzinger / August 17, 2021 at 8:10 am

    So sorry to hear of Michelle’s passing. My deepest condolences to the whole Genteman family. I wasn’t a life long friend, but knew her well enough to know of her kind and compassionate soul. May she rest in peace wrapped in God’s loving arms.

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