Ethel M. Zwilling

Ethel M. Zwilling, 88, of Claremont, passed away on Friday, June 28, 2024 at Carle Richland Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit.

Ethel was born February 17, 1936 in Clay County, Illinois, the daughter of Anton C. and Catherine (Kuenstler) Volk. She married Herman A. Zwilling on November 27, 1958 at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Wendelin, and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2023.

Ethel was a devoted wife and mother to her 11 children. Prior to her marriage to Herman, Ethel took care of children for her family and neighbors in the Wendelin area. She was a member of the Stringtown Community Club and an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stringtown. She provided flowers for the altar in the summer, she helped prepare food for church events and enjoyed helping with the church picnics. Additionally, she assisted with and donated blood for the Red Cross blood drives in the area. Ethel also had participated in raising money for Birthright.

Ethel enjoyed and took pride in crocheting afghans and her embroidery, raising vegetables and flowers, freezing and canning food, and attending bluegrass music festivals. She also liked to travel. In her later years, she found joy in her adult coloring books. Ethel always demonstrated and passed on a hard work ethic, a strong faith in the Lord, and a great sense of humor.

Ethel is survived by her children, Daniel Zwilling, Kathleen Zwilling, Patricia Zwilling, Therese Zwilling, Michael Zwilling, Nancy (Alan) Ochs, Matthew (Lisa) Zwilling, Byron (Donna) Zwilling, Julia (Craig) Garrett, Marvin (Elaine) Zwilling, and Father Robert Zwilling; grandchildren, Ryan (Cathy) Zwilling, Aaron Zwilling, and Sarah Zwilling, and Victoria, Isaac, Natalie, and Nathaniel Zwilling, and Owen Ochs, and Nicholas and Brianna Zwilling; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and siblings: Sister Antoinette Volk, Sister Loretta Volk, Virgil Volk, Anton Volk, Don Volk, and Louis Volk.

A visitation will be held for friends and family on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stringtown, with a visitation from 9:00 AM until service time at the church.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Stringtown.

Memorials can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Stringtown or St. Joseph School Foundation Trust.