Sammylane Wirth
Belleville | Save
Sammylane Wirth, Ed.D., 91, of Belleville, Illinois, born Monday, January 7, 1935, in Henderson, KY, died Thursday, October 15, 2026 at The Colonnades Senior Living in O’Fallon, IL.
Dr. Wirth was valedictorian of the 1953 graduating class of Sebree High School, Sebree, KY. She continued her studies at Murray State University, earning a B.S. Degree in 1956. She later earned a Master’s Degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, and an Ed.D. Degree from St. Louis University.
Dr. Wirth worked as a teacher in Cahokia School District #187, a counselor in Belleville School District #118, an addiction counselor at Christian Hospital Northwest, and was a faculty member of the Southern Illinois Medical School Residency Training Program in Belleville. She later worked as a psychotherapist in her private practice in Belleville for 18 years.
Dr. Wirth was among the first class who obtained clinical membership in the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. She was also licensed as a professional clinical counselor, and as an addictions counselor.
Dr. Wirth was an active supporter of the Violence Prevention Center, the Sierra Club, the Photographic Society of America, and a member of the St. Louis Camera Club, the Collinsville Area Camera Club, the Missouri Nature & Environmental Photographers, and the First United Presbyterian Church of Belleville.
During her retirement years, she became an accomplished photographer, winning numerous awards, and wrote an article on impressionistic photography which was published in the Journal of the Photographic Society of America.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Parents: Fred and Ernestine Poore, (nee Bruce)
- One Sister: Kathleen Murphy
Surviving are her:
- Two Children:
- Andrea (Gary Monroe) Wirth of Knoxville, TN
- Michael Wirth of Belleville, IL
- One Grandchild: Linda Lane Wirth, of Belleville, IL
- Nieces:
- Lisa Lott
- Laura Murphy
- Nephew: Brian Murphy
Memorials may be made to: First United Presbyterian Church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Visitation: Friends may call from 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2026 at First United Presbyterian Church at 1303 Royal Heights Rd. in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 30, 2026 at First United Presbyterian Church with Pastor Alexandra Lysdahl officiating.
Kurrus Funeral Home
