Ermalinda Schwartze

Ermalinda Wilhelmina Schwartze, 84, of Argyle, departed this life on Monday, May 21, 2012, in the Capital Region Medical Center, Jefferson City, following a brief illness. Ermalinda was born on December 1, 1927, near Argyle, in Osage County, a daughter of Joseph and Martha Sophie (Eichholz) Hilke. Mrs. Schwartze was united in marriage on September 25, 1954, at Argyle, to Albert Stephen Schwartze, and to this union, three children were born. She was preceded in death by her husband on September 11, 2011; her father on January 25, 1971; her mother on May 10, 1977; and six brothers, Leo Hilke, Conrad Hilke, Bernard Hilke, Joseph Hilke Jr., Fred Hilke and an infant brother at birth. Mrs. Schwartze was a member of the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Argyle, and the St. Ann's Sodality of the church. During her working life, she had been employed by the International Shoe Company, Jefferson City, and was a devoted housewife, homemaker and a diligent individual in providing for the needs of her family. Mrs. Schwartze enjoyed all activities pertaining to the family farm, as well as cooking, gardening and quilting. Those left to mourn the passing of Mrs. Schwartze include: one son, Roger A. Schwartze, Jefferson City; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ruth A. and Timothy Barnhart, Vienna, and Sarah J. and Thomas Renick, Jefferson City; one brother and three sister-in-law, Urban and Wanda Hilke, Independence; and Theresa Hilke and Corine Hilke, both of Jefferson City; five sisters and two brothers-in-law, Marie Gremaud, St. Louis; Rita and Lawrence Kampeter, Argyle; Florentine Muckensturm, St. Louis; Virginia Bax, St. Louis; and Jane and Jack Meldrem, Jefferson City; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren and one anticipated soon; and many other relatives and friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Mrs. Schwartze at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, May 25, 2012, in the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Argyle, with the Rev. David Maher officiating. Interment will be in the St. Aloysius Cemetery, Argyle, under the direction of the Vienna Chapel of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Visitation will be 5 - 8 p.m., with a Vigil and Rosary Service at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, May 24, 2012, and 9 -10 a.m., on Friday, May 25, 2012, all in the St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Argyle. Mass offerings or memorials to the St. Aloysius Catholic Church are suggested by the family of Mrs. Schwartze with envelopes available at the Church or the Vienna Office of the Birmingham-Martin Funeral Homes. Condolences may be left at e-mailed to birminghammartinfuneralhomes.com