Sheila Lovell

TREMONT – Sheila Diane Lovell, 71, of Tremont, IL peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, with her family at her side. She was born October 26, 1950, in Quincy, Ill., to Reverend Edwin and Harriet (Wyneken) Hahn.  She married John Lovell on August 5, 1973, in Urbana, Ill. 

Surviving are her husband, John Lovell, MD of Tremont; three children, Matthew (Alyssa) Lovell, MD of Columbus, Ind., Daniel (Megan) Lovell, DMD MSD of Morton, and Joel (Kortnie) Lovell, DMD of Morton; nine grandchildren: Hudson, Ethan, Hadley, Adalynn, Nora, Paisley, Hollis, Bree, and Magnolia Lovell; two brothers, Richard (Cindy) Hahn and Warren (Roberta) Hahn of Florida; one sister, Suzanne Corbett of Washington. 

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Sheila earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Ill.  Sheila taught in Rockford Public Schools while John was in medical school, after which she devoted her time as a wife, mother and homemaker.  

In addition to supporting John in his career and keeping the home, Sheila enjoyed getting the boys to all their activities, crafting, quilting, knitting, crocheting, leading Bible studies and mentoring others in their daily faith walk with Jesus.  Besides her walk with Jesus and John, her greatest joy was being a mother and grandmother.  Sheila was an active member of Bethel Lutheran Ministries in Morton, where she started ladies Bible studies, prayer groups, and a Christian Book Club.  Sheila was also active in Lutherans for Life and served on the Board of Directors for Bibles for Russia and Lions Love for Libera. 

Sheila held fast to God’s Word and spread the hope of Jesus as a small group Bible study leader.  Sheila and John participated in many mission trips through the church and medical missions groups.  They served side by side in Haiti, Mexico, Liberia, Guatemala, Belize and with Habit for Humanity. Sheila lived her life in daily gratefulness to Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice on the cross to give her eternal life and take her home to heaven.    

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Friday, March 25, 2022, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Morton, with Pastor Jeff Anderson and Pastor Greg Moyer officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Thursday, March 24, at Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton. Further visitation will be from 9 to 9:45 a.m., Friday March 25, prior to the service at the church. Sheila's service will also be live streamed via https://www.bethelmorton.org/livestream. Burial will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Tremont.

Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Ministries, Bethel Lutheran School and High School or Living Alternatives Pregnancy Resource Center - Tazewell County.

Knapp-Johnson Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Morton is handling arrangements.

To leave an online condolence for the family, visit www.knappjohnson.com.