- Visitation
Visitation will be held at Meridith Funeral Home in Highland from 3:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday.
- Service
Funeral service will be held at the church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with Pastor Chris Hill presiding.
- Full Obituary
Raymond E. “Gene” Schwend, 85, died on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.
He was born in Highland on July 3, 1928 to his parents, Ervin and Cecelia, nee Schniers, Schwend. They both preceded in death.
Mr. Schwend grew up in Highland, attending grade school and high school here before graduating from Highland High School in 1946. He married Marion Schmiedeke in Highland on Sept. 11, 1948 and they lived here their entire married life.
He was the owner of Highland Ready Mix Concrete for nearly 40 years before retirement. He began his career in that business in 1950 when he worked for the Killian Corporation. He and his partner, the late Vince Horstmann, purchased the business from Killian in 1959 and they worked together until he became sole owner in 1975. He and his family expanded the business by adding plants in Troy, O’Fallon and other locations during the next 14 years, until he sold the business to his sons and their partners in 1998. He continued to own a sister company, Schwend Transportation Inc., for several more years before retiring in 2001.
Gene was a member of Evangelical United Church of Christ, Highland, IL. He played basketball in high school and later on several Highland men’s teams. He was an avid bowler and competed in many Midwest tournaments. He became an avid boater, hunter, golfer and card player. He loved watching old westerns on TV and was a very loyal St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
He enjoyed boating, fishing and water skiing with his family at Carlyle Lake and at Norfolk Lake in Arkansas. He enjoyed deer hunting and squirrel hunting. In the later years, he and his wife loved spending their winters in Florida, where they enjoyed golfing while entertaining family and friends. He loved being around his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and his two family dogs. He was well known for his wit and for his great sense of humor.
His wife preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 2012. He was also preceded by a son, Richard Schwend; a brother, Calvin Schwend, and a great grandchild.
Surviving are three daughters Sandra (Tom) Hammer and Terri (Steve) Holt, both of Highland, and Jeanne (Gary) Huber, of Trenton; son David (Carol) Schwend, of Highland; and daughter-in-law Linda Schwend, of Highland.
He is survived by 12 grandchildren, Janean (Eric) Rehkemper, Michelle (Clinton) Tompkins, Vanessa (Michael) Conley, Jennifer (Jeff) Wright, Stephanie (Paul) Dehner, Mindi (Nik) Kunz, Aaron (Joanna) Huber, Bret (Kim) Huber, Christopher (special friend Jessica) Schwend, Quinn (Mandi) Huber, Amber Lake and Kara Schwend. He is also survived by 17 great-grandchildren.
He is survived by a sister, Vivian Giger, and two brothers, Jeff (Jill) Schwend and Bill (Betty) Schwend, all of Highland.
Also surviving are two brothers-in-law, Jim Jennings of Barefoot Bay, FL and Herbert “Lefty” Schmiedeke of Chicago, IL.
Visitation will be held at Meridith Funeral Home in Highland from 3:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and at Evangelical United Church of Christ in Highland from 9-10 a.m. on Thursday.
Funeral service will be held at the church at 10 a.m. on Thursday, with Pastor Chris Hill presiding.
Burial will follow in Highland City Cemetery.
Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL
