Pat Schwarm

Pat Schwarm, 69, Highland, Illinois, passed away on December 12, 2014 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, Illinois. Services celebrating Pat’s life will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, December 16 at the First Congregational Church of Highland, 801 Washington Street, Highland, with Pastor Greg Brady officiating. A graveside service and burial will follow at 12:15 PM at the Old Loogootee Cemetery in rural Loogootee. Visitations are set for Monday, December 15, 3:00 – 8:00 PM at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home, 1501 Ninth at Lemon Street, Highland, and 9:00 – 10:00 AM at the church prior to the funeral service. The daughter of the late Stanley E. and Edith Donaldson Schwarm, Pat was born on March 14, 1945 in St. Elmo, Illinois. She was a 1963 graduate of Brownstown High School. She graduated in 1968 from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics education and instructional materials and in 1976 from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville with a Master’s of Science Degree in education administration. In addition, Pat completed post-graduate classes in gifted education, special education and writing instruction. Pat began her 33-year professional career with the Highland Community Schools in 1968 as a math teacher and librarian at Highland Junior High School. In 1977, she became Assistant Principal at Highland Upper Elementary School and Highland Junior High School. From 1984 until her retirement in 2001, Pat was the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. During her tenure with the district, Pat was involved in numerous initiatives which enhanced the quality of education. She was viewed as a leader and pioneer in education by her peers not only in Highland but throughout the area. She was chair of Madison County Region II Special Education Cooperative, 1994-2001 after having served as vice-chair from 1984-1994. She was president of Southwestern Illinois ASCD, 1987-1988. She was also a much sought after professional development presenter during her career and for several years after her retirement. Her contributions to education and her community were recognized and she was the recipient of many honors during her career including Highland Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Educator, 1975; Illinois’ “Those Who Excel Award of Excellence/Administration,” 1994; and Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow, 2001. Pat grew up on her family’s farm in rural Loogootee. As a youth, she was involved in 4-H and was known as a “champion cake baker” winning many prizes at county and state fairs. Her love of cooking and entertaining continued throughout her life as she was a gracious hostess and exceptional cook. On the farm, Pat was involved in the family’s enterprise of raising and showing purebred Angus cattle. Pat showed cattle in county fairs throughout southern Illinois as a youth and was a cattle owner until recent years. She seldom missed a “show day” during which her nephews were showing cattle, bringing lunch to the fair grounds for the family. Her county fair involvement also included serving on the Madison County Fair Board from 1978-1984. Pat’s interests and talents were many. She also enjoyed photography, scrapbooking, home decorating and sewing. A faithful Christian, Pat was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, Loogootee, 1945-2004, and First Congregational Church of Highland, 2004-present. She was involved in youth ministries and was a women’s Bible study leader and hostess. Pat was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her brother, S. Gene Schwarm and his wife, Ann, Loogootee; sister, Judith Seibert and husband, David, Washington, Illinois; nephews, Andrew Schwarm and his wife, Monica, Chicago; Alex and his wife, Samantha, Weehawken, NJ; nieces, Julie Seibert, Ballwin, Missouri; Linda Seibert Vig and her husband, Varun, New York City; Kristi Seibert, Chicago; and one great-nephew, Nikhil Oliver Vig, New York City. Memorials can be made in Pat’s honor to Highland Area Community Foundation, Patsy Schwarm Education Fund and Old Loogootee Cemetery.

Pat Schwarm

March 14, 1945 - December 12, 2014