Geraldine F. “Gerry” Augustine

Geraldine “Gerry” F. Augustine, 89, of Highland, IL, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2024, peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family.  She was born on July 6, 1935, in East St. Louis, IL, to Harry and Ethel (nee Schmitz) Schmieg. On September 4, 1954, she married Danny R. Augustine, Sr. and together they had six children.

Gerry devoted her life to faith, family, and community, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, service, and love. Her dedication to God and her community shone brightly through her many years of involvement with St. Paul Catholic Church.

Gerry spent over 30 years working as a surgical assistant at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland, IL where she specialized in organ transplant removal.  She helped save many lives through her tireless work.In her free time, Gerry was a talented crafter, with a special passion for painting and decorating.  She loved swimming, movies, and dogs.

Above all else, Gerry cherished her family. She was the heart and cornerstone of their lives, a matriarch who held everyone together. She and her family shared countless adventures, traveling the world and taking memorable cruises, each trip bringing them closer and filling their lives with laughter and love. Her strength, wisdom, and devotion shaped each of her loved ones, and her memory will live on in their hearts forever. Gerry’s life was a testament to her faith, her selflessness, and her boundless love. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 55 years, Danny R. Augustine, Sr.; parents Harry and Ethel Schmieg; siblings, Merle (Barbara) Schmieg, Joy (George) Bailey, Shirley (Charles “Oach”) Wolf; sister-in-law, Peggy (George) Fitzpatrick.

Geraldine is survived by her children, Danny Ray Augustine, Jr., of Highland, IL, Jan (Hugh) Wiegand, of Highland, IL, Christy (James) Wiegand, of Highland, IL, Kim (Frank) Dolezal, of Highland, IL, Kelly (Daniel) Dahm, of Trenton, IL, Karen Augustine, of Maryville, IL; 10 grandchildren, Christopher (Kara) Wiegand of Highland, IL, Rachel (Dylan) Huey of Highland, IL, Jason (Jessica) Wiegand of Highland, IL, Michelle Pierce of Red Bud, IL, Katie (Luke) Stegmann of Ava, IL, Adam (Kelly) Dolezal of Savoy, IL, Stephanie (Jake) Dolezal DeNap of Fredericksburg, VA, Jordan Dahm of Trenton, IL, Mitchell Dahm of Trenton, IL, Austin Dahm of Trenton, IL; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Judy (Dick) Williams; numerous nieces, nephews, and many loving friends.

Memorials may be made to Bond County Hospice, or St. Paul Catholic Church.

Visitation: Friday, November 15, 2024, from 8:30 AM to 10:30 AM, at Meridith Funeral Home, in Highland, IL.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, November 15, 2024, 11:00 AM, St. Paul Catholic Church, Highland, IL.

Clergy: Fr. Mariadas Chatla

Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Highland, IL.

Meridith Funeral Home, Highland, IL.