Vivian Himmel
Godfrey |
Vivian Kathryn Himmel, 102, passed away at 6:39 pm Sunday, July 16, 2017 at United Methodist Village in Godfrey with her family by her side.
She was born March 26, 1915 in Troy, MO the daughter of the late, Curtis and Emma (Barnes) Elston.
Vivian married Gilbert Himmel on May 31, 1938 in St. Charles, MO. He preceded her in death on July 17, 1990.
She raised her family in Alton, working for Superior Carpet where she made window treatments and slip covers. She later began her own business in her home, making and altering clothing which grew into a large clientele. Everyone who came through her door not only had their clothes altered, but became her lasting friends. She especially loved the young girls who came in to have their prom dresses altered. Vivian passed her love and kindness onto everyone she met. She was a mother to all of her children’s friends and grandma to all of her grandchildren’s friends. Oh yes, especially the little ones. She always had a cabinet full of treats for them, with her doors always being open. In her later years she was again a neighbor to her dear friend Verna Ruedin who passed just a few months ago. They were friends for 75 years. Vivian was loved and will be missed by all.
She is survived by a brother, Samuel Elston; two children, Marlene (Paul Daverede) Beemer of St. Petersburg, FL and Carl (Peggy) Himmel of Bethalto; five grandchildren, Michelle Reynolds of Bethalto, Anthony (Laura) Gramolino of Lake St. Louis, Jenna (Todd) Quigley of Godfrey, Andra Beemer of Denver, CO, Lindy (Darren) Gantt of Pineville, LA; eight great grandchildren, Samantha Quigley, Mathew Quigley, Chad (Alyssa Ehlers) Reynolds, Vincent Gramolino, Dominic Gramolino, Emma Gantt, Chloe Gantt, and Noah Gantt; several nieces, nephews and close friends.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother Kenneth “Bud” Elston; a son in law Jim Beemer; a grandson Stacy Reynolds.
Visitation will be on Thursday, July 20, 2017 from 9 am until time of funeral service at 11:30 am at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey.
Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Main St. Methodist Church. A special thanks to all of the staff at both Heartland Hospice and The United Methodist Village.
Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
