Dolores O. Stein
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Dolores O. Stein, 78, of Tamaroa, went gently into that good night surrounded by her family at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, 2009 at the St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo.
Dolores was born May 23, 1931 in Vergennes, Ill. to Bernard and Catherine (Nehring) Schneider.
On Feb. 26, 1952, she married Lester W. Stein at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Du Quoin and he preceded her in death in June of 1990. They made their home in Tamaroa, Ill. where Dolores resided until her death.
Dolores is survived by six of her children, Paul (Julie) Stein of O'Fallon, Mo., Cathy Stein of Chicago, Ill., Peggy (John) Caraher of Downers Grove, Ill., Danny Stein of Anna, Ill., Linda (Allan) Campbell of Edwardsville, Ill. and Charles Stein of Tamaroa, Ill. She was the proud and loving grandmother of Shannon Caraher, Alexander Stein and Mallory Stein. She is survived by her two sisters, Rita Iffert of Du Quoin, Ill. and Betty Ebersohl of Murphysboro, Ill. She is also survived by several step-grandchildren, step great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Dolores was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a daughter Nancy Sue Stein, four brothers- Paul Schneider, who died defending our country during W. W. II, Bernard Schneider, Cletus Schneider and Alois "Sonny" Schneider and by her husband's parents, William and Mary "Mamie" Stein, his brother, Milton Stein, and his four sisters, Katherine Yung, Elsie Sroka, Marcella Hanson and Matilda Hill.
Dolores lived an accomplished life. She and her husband started married life quite poor. Through hard work, sheer will and determination, they built a fine and loving home and raised six children, seeing five of them through college where they themselves went on to successful and happy lives of their own. Through this journey she bore the heartbreak of losing one child at birth and having another afflicted with autism. Dolores was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Tamaroa since 1952 and raised her children in the Catholic faith. She watched over many a child as they grew up during her nearly 30 years as bookkeeper at Tamaroa Grade School. She band-aided many a knee, wiped many a tear and comforted many a sick child while they awaited their parents. Dolores also served faithfully as the village of Tamaroa Treasurer for over 40 years. Dolores enjoyed a comfortable and lengthy retirement, traveling to many places in the U.S. and abroad with her children, grandchildren or sisters. She felt blessed.
Mass of Christian Burial was at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009 at the St. Bruno Catholic Church in Pinckneyville with Fr. Brian Barker officiating.
Friends called from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Searby Funeral Home in Tamaroa.
The Rosary was prayed at 5 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Burial was in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery at Tamaroa.
Friends may make memorials to masses.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.