M. Ellen Stewart

Margaret Ellen Stewart, 85, died on Thursday, May 14, 2015. She was born on June 4, 1929, to Lester Bert and Cecil Parcher Swartz in Streator, Ill., where she grew up. She was a 1951 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University where she met her future husband, Perry V. Stewart. They were married on June 24, 1951. They lived in Pekin, Ill., New Albany, Ind., and Hagerstown Md., before settling in 1966 in Bloomington where he was editor and publisher of The Herald-Telephone, now The Herald-Times, and the Bedford Times-Mail. After his death in 1970, she raised their five daughters, continued to devote time and resources to a variety of non-profit community programs and became a successful businesswoman. She was strongly independent and generous, not only to three generations of her family but also to the community at large. She served on the boards of Bloomington Hospital, the Monroe County Red Cross, Monroe County United Way and First United Methodist Church. She was a Girl Scout leader, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels, Planned Parenthood, P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) and Psi Iota Xi, Zeta Chapter, and their Thrift Shop. She loved sports and was a lifelong supporter of YMCA programs. She was a founding member of Girls Inc., and helped organize their first geranium sale, now an annual community tradition. She also was a long-time adviser for Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Along with several other women, she founded Century 21 All Seasons Real Estate and later owned and operated Stewart's Hallmark gift stores in Bloomington and Columbus. She retired and sold her Stewart's Hallmark store in Bloomington in 2004. She enjoyed gardening, travel and investing and was a keen observer of current events, reading three newspapers a day, until the effects of Alzheimer's disease slowed her down. She is survived by her daughters: Carolyn Walters (William "Buck") of Bloomington; Kay Stewart (Hunt Helm) of Louisville, Ky.; Gale Stewart of Evanston, Ill.; Judy Stewart of Bloomington and Nancy Holland (Roger) of West Chester, Ohio; eight grandchildren: Sarah Tynan; Benjamin and Charles Helm; Katie Keeler (Cooper), Lisa Stumpner (Loren) and Scott Riggins (Brittany); Eric and Thomas Holland; and three great grandchildren. A fourth great grandchild is due on her birthday, June 4, 2015. She is also survived by her brother, Edward Swartz (Shirley) of Appleton, Wis., sister, Virginia Cary of St. Louis, Mo. sister-in-law, Jan Swartz of Indianapolis, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, her brother, David Swartz, preceded her in death. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. on Monday, May 18, 2015 at Allen Funeral Home and Crematory, 4155 South Old Highway 37, Bloomington. A visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. will be on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at First United Methodist Church, 219 E. 4th St., Bloomington. Burial will be in Forrest Township Cemetery, Forrest, Ill. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to: Perry and Ellen (Swartz) Stewart Endowment Fund for TheArgus,student newspaper Office for Advancement Illinois Wesleyan University 1322 Park Street, Bloomington, IL 61702-2900 Monroe County Y For All Campaign Monroe County YMCA, Southeast Branch Attn: Heather Gustafson 2125 S. Highland Ave. Bloomington, IN 47401 Condolence may be sent to the family at www.allenfuneralhome.org

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M. Ellen Stewart

June 4, 1929 - May 14, 2015