In Memory

Sandra Schwanke (Howell)

Sandra Schwanke (Howell)

Deceased 2018

Sandra Lynn (Schwanke) Howell
CHILLICOTHE - Sandra Lynn (Schwanke) Howell, 72, of Chillicothe, Ill., passed away on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at her home, after battling stomach cancer for several months.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Sharing of memories will be follow the visitation at the funeral home. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 9, 2018, at the Chillicothe City Cemetery, following her cremation.
Sandy was born on March 31, 1946, in Rockford, Ill., and was raised in Rockford as well. She studied ballet as a young woman, first with Gary Roberts in Rockford, and later traveling back and forth between Rockford and Chicago, Ill., to study at the prestigious Stone-Cameron dance studio. She enlisted in the Air Force in 1964, and was stationed in Charleston, South Carolina, where she met her husband, Robert Howell. She worked as a dental assistant in the Air Force, until she finished her service in 1968.
In 1989 Sandy completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Illinois State University, and later earned a Master of Science degree in Sociology from ISU at age 50, after publishing her master's thesis. For many years, Sandy was very active in community theatre in both Peoria and Chillicothe, appearing in a variety of productions at Peoria Players Theatre, Corn Stock Summer Theatre and Chillicothe Summer Theatre, where she played many hilarious comedic roles, such as Yenta the Matchmaker in Fiddler on the Roof, Ma Peterson in Bye Bye Birdie, Mammy Yokum in Li'l Abner, and the Widow Paroo in The Music Man. In fact, it was Sandy who got the rest of the family involved in community theatre too.
Sandy worked for several years as a substitute teacher in IVC Unit District 321, served as a crisis hotline volunteer and Woman Strength volunteer, and assisted with casting and created choreography in a host of musical productions at IVC High School.
One of Sandy's other great passions, next to her family, was travel. She loved to plan trips to Paris, Chicago, England and Boston; she maintained a Facebook group devoted to the subject of Paris; she even had some articles published on the travel website, Fodors.com. She collected books about travel, bookmarked literally hundreds of travel websites, and always planned the details of vacations meticulously.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Howell of Chillicothe; brother, Robert (Tio) Schwanke of Fallon, Nev.; sister, Mary Ann (Pat) Hanford of Rockford, Ill.; son, Cory (Pamela) of Nashville, Tenn.; son, Toby (Michelle) of Chillicothe; and granddaughters, Sofia, Susan, Sydney and Lucy.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Corn Stock Theatre, in memory of Sandy Howell.



 
go to bottom 
  Post Comment

09/07/19 12:20 PM #1    

John Hegberg

Sandra (Schwanke) Howell transferred to Rockford West High School in the fall of 1963 and then graduated from there in June 1964.


09/08/19 09:11 AM #2    

Cindi Hand (Guasto)

She was one of the sweetest and most humble people I have ever met.  I was so FORTUNATE to know Sandy.  Sandy and I were good friends in high school but as the years went on we lost track of each other.  Through Facebook we reconnected, about 7 years ago and were able to meet with our husbands for lunch a few times.  Our granddaughters also were able to meet.  I was on Facebook with Sandy the day before she passed away.  Rest In Peace Sandy!!  You are missed by so many people!  Love you my friend!!


go to top 
  Post Comment

 




agape