Arlene J. Hughes, 86

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Arlene Jane Hughes, 86, of Litchfield, died on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield following a sudden illness.

Due to COVID restrictions, a graveside funeral service for immediate family members will be conducted on Saturday, Nov. 14, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Elm Lawn Memorial Cemetery in Litchfield. Litchfield Family Funeral Service is assisting the family.

Mrs. Hughes was born Dec. 6, 1933, in Gillespie, to Fred and Emma (Stoecker) Schmidt. She married Charles Hughes on June 6, 1954, at Zion Lutheran Church in Gillespie, and he preceded her in death.

She was raised on the family farm just outside of Gillespie. She attended Gillespie public schools and graduated with the class of 1952. 

Before her marriage, Mrs. Hughes worked at Rice-Stix dress factory in Gillespie. Following her marriage, she resided in the same Litchfield home until her death. She spent her entire wedded life as a homemaker and loving family member to her children, grandchildren and her circle of friends.

She was a member of the Litchfield American Legion Women’s Auxiliary, and was a well-known attendee of the Legion’s Bingo nights while her husband called the games. She also attended Litchfield Zion Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Hughes centered her life around her family. Mamaw, as she was called, loved watching her kids and grandkids play sports, participate in pageants or just watching them living their lives. She had a large collection of Litchfield High School sweaters and shirts, which she wore proudly. She was frequently in the Edwardsville area for activities, from watching sports and rock concerts to sitting by the family pool in her favorite chair, enjoying a glass of sweet wine.

Even after her hip injury required her to use a walker, she rarely missed out on anything. She traveled extensively with family across the US. She had many artistic talents from painting, playing piano, and accordion to cake decorating. No one recalls ever seeing her angry and she loved to laugh. Her one weakness was sweets, but used it to the community’s benefit by baking desserts weekly for over ten years and donating them to St. Timothy Methodist Church’s Monday Soup Kitchen.

Mrs. Hughes is survived by her sons, Dr. Loren (wife Anne) Hughes of Edwardsville and Allen (wife Tami) Hughes of Litchfield; daughter, Charlene “Char” Giannuzzi of Litchfield; grandchildren, Erin (Tyler) Robbins of O’Fallon, Jasmine (Bob) Schietz of Springfield, Luke (Katie Nikirk) Hughes of Edwardsville, Rocky (Kelsey) Giannuzzi of Springfield, Kaitlyn (KJ Wolf) Hughes and Nathan Hughes, both of Litchfield; great-grandchildren, Layne and Lilah Robbins of O’Fallon; brothers and sisters-in-law, Dale and Rosemary Hughes and Lucy Hughes, all of Litchfield, and Art Stoecker of Springfield; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Mildred Duelm, Ruth Kennedy and twin Darlene Duelm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Timothy United Methodist Church Monday Soup Kitchen, 219 East Union Avenue, Litchfield, IL 62056.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.litchfieldffs.com.