In loving memory of

Gertrude K. Schoon
June 9, 1930 - June 15, 2020

Gertrude K. Schoon

Gertrude K. (Geier) Schoon, age 90, went to her heavenly home on June 15, 2020, with her family at her side. Gert was born on June 9, 1930 to Vincent and Catherine (Fraune) Geier as the oldest daughter in a family of 9 children. Gert and her siblings grew up on a farm with a core set of values: faith, family, hard work and good fun. These values shaped Gert from an early age and defined her throughout her life. Gert graduated from Canton High School in 1950 and received her nursing diploma from Graham Hospital in 1953. She later achieved an Associates Degree from Canton Community College. On a very wintry November 20, 1954 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Gert married Maurice E. Schoon, who preceded in her death on March 29, 2013. Gert and Maurice were the proud and devoted parents to four children: Celia (Andrew) Yeo of Martinsville, Indiana; Diane (Don) Tharp of Essex Junction, VT; Dave (Patti) Schoon of Canton, Illinois; and Bob (Jodie) Schoon of E Troy, WS.
Gert loved being Grandma to 11 grandchildren: Christopher Schoon, Victoria, TX; Caroline Mastrangelo, Virginia Beach, VA; Patrick Schoon, Canton, IL; Jessica Yeo, Reston, VA; Rachael and Megan Tharp, Essex Junction, VA; Hannah Schoon, Newcastle, England; Bethany, Brian, Kayla, and Jennifer Schoon, all of E Troy, WS; and 6 great-grandchildren. Gert is also survived by 1 brother, Carl Geier, Pekin, Illinois; and 4 sisters: Ann (Willard) Schoon, Glasford, Illinois; Mary McCoy, Elmwood, Illinois, Helen McCloskey, Springfield, OH, and Rose Shawgo, Lewistown, Illinois and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 1 infant sister, and 2 brothers.
For 40+ years, Gert worked at Graham Hospital. She started her nursing career working as a staff nurse in various departments, moving onto Evening Supervisor, and then in 1969, opened Graham's Intensive Care. In 1974, Gert felt challenged to take the first national exam to certify nurses in critical care and maintained her certification throughout the remainder of her nursing career. She retired as Department Head of the ICU/PCU in March 1994. Gert was devoted to her patients, with a strong and conscientious commitment to make sure they received the best medical and compassionate care from her and her staff. She mentored many other nurses along the way, sharing freely her wisdom and experience. Gert was a highly regarded and respected colleague with physicians and across the medical community. No surprise, Gert's servant heart also expressed itself in the community. She organized the Fulton County Coronary Club, giving educational programs on cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. Gert organized and coached Canton's first Ladies Softball League. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, PEO, and Altruistic Club. She was also an active volunteer for the Canton Community Concerts, Heart of Illinois Critical Care Association, St. Mary's Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, and Graham Hospital Gift League. In 1972, Gert was named Canton Daily Ledger's Woman of the Year to recognize her service to the community. Gert was truly an exceptional lady who lived her life with courage, faith, a strong work ethic, a deep sense of personal responsibility to make a positive difference, and a great sense of humor. She enjoyed traveling in all kinds of ways: family camping trips, a variety of vacations in the States and overseas, and even an occasional 'girls' trip with her sisters and her mother to the casinos. Gert knew her way on the dance floor - from square dancing to ball room dancing and made sure her kids to knew how to polka. She was a fierce competitor in any card game or Yahtzee and her infamous cheesecake recipe is another example of her many legacies to her family.
A public visitation will be at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton, Illinois on Friday, June 19, 2020 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m. with COVID-19 social distancing and masks required. There will be a Christian Mass of Burial at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton on Saturday, June 20, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Daniel Ebker will officiate. Burial will be at White Chapel Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends can best express their condolences through contributions to St. Mary's Food Pantry at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Canton or to Graham Hospital School of Nursing, where a memorial scholarship fund is being established in her honor. To view Gertrude's DVD, please go to www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com. In view of the COVID-19 restrictions, the family would sincerely appreciate individuals sharing a favorite memory of Gert on the website or send them to: Celia Yeo, 8131 Cedar Run Drive, Martinsville, Indiana 46151.

Tributes

Dixie List wrote on Jul 2, 2020:

"To Gertrude's family. She was truly a wonderful person. I never forgot watching walking around the hospital and you could tell she was in charge. She always seemed like a giant walking around doing her job. I was lucky to have Chris and Patrick in school and I am saying, I am sorry for your loss. "

Ben and Bob Smith wrote on Jun 23, 2020:

"Dave...sorry to hear about the passing of your mom. Dad and I send condolences to you and your family. "

Tammy Lockhart wrote on Jun 20, 2020:

"My deepest sympathy to the family. My thoughts and prayer our with you. I got the privilege to meet and know Gert for about two years I will miss her dearly. You are all in my thoughts and prayers sincerely Tammy Lockhart"

Cindy Yocum wrote on Jun 20, 2020:

"So sorry to hear of your loss. Gert and my mother (Dorothy Haynes) worked together for years and we?re great friends. Gert also pointed my mother in the right direction for a health scare my dad had which led to five bypasses. One of the great head nurses! Deepest sympathy to all. "

Becky & Steve Dean wrote on Jun 20, 2020:

"Prayers to all in the family. Aunt Gert was an amazing lady full of giving anyone in need. Although my heart is broken I find comfort in knowing she can now rest with Uncle Maurice. I love you all."

Theresa Stanko wrote on Jun 20, 2020:

"Prayers to the family. Gert was my Head Nurse at Graham as I cut my teeth as a new nurse. I developed a strong work ethic, patient care ethics and nursing knowledge from her. Every nurse should have had an opportunity to work with her. I remember her having a group of her nurses to her home for a Christmas dinner. After we were all seated and the dinner began, here came the Doctors out to wait on us. What a fun surprise! She was a great person and the most intelligent nurse I ever worked with."

Carol Sue (Bankert) Gatewood wrote on Jun 19, 2020:

"My heart goes out to everyone during this sad time! Always had so much fun going to Aunt Gert & Uncle Maurice's house, especially during the Holidays. Food enough to fill an army & plenty of love & laughter everywhere. Aunt Gert was a very special lady! Her laughter was quite contagious & always filled the room. She was an amazing, wonderful woman & Aunt & will be terribly missed by us all! Carol Sue (Bankert) Gatewood"

Judy Helle wrote on Jun 19, 2020:

"Our deepest sympathy to Gert's family. Gert was such a role model for us at Graham, she truly believed that her patients came first and she stood up for them always. I valued her friendship, she was "unsinkable" in her beliefs and actions."

Rick Mendenhall wrote on Jun 19, 2020:

"To the Schoon family sorry to hear of your loss Our thoughts and prayers are with you Rick and Carol Mendenhall "

Bill Link wrote on Jun 19, 2020:

"So sorry to learn of Gert?s passing. She was so respected by all who knew her and a great friend. Bill Link"

Sharon Dawson-Odendahl wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Gert was a wonderful lady who was a role model for nurses and everyone who knew her. She was tough but loving. My sincere sympathy to her children and families. She will be remembered by many. "

Roger S Montalvan wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Our deepest condolences to the entire Schoon family. We are very sorry for your loss. Roger&Maria Montalvan"

Sharon Schrodt wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Gert was a mentor to me and taught me so much in my time with her. Loved her laugh. When I was a student she scared me half to death but then worked as an RN with her and learned so much. Great woman. Actually I was just thinking of her earlier this week. My sincerest sympathy to her family. Sharon Schrodt"

Helen and Larry McCloskey wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Gert was truly loved as a sister, a second mother and always fun to have with us in our "sister travels". She was a great leader and role model. Her kindness reached out to people far and wide. We definitely will miss her always."

Judy Jarvis wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Our deepest sympathy to Dave and family. Randy and Judy Jarvis"

The Kauzlarich twins wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Condolences to all at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers. The Kauzlarich twins"

Judy Kemper wrote on Jun 18, 2020:

"Gert was a mentor for me. I have so many memories of her. She was such a good nurse. She was smart and funny. She was a great leader. She is a friend I will never forget. I remember she used to have Christmas parties at her home for her staff and the Doctors were the servers. Only Gert could have pulled that off. A life well lived. A good and faithful servant. "

Ardith Geier wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"We are keeping all of the family in our thoughts and prayers. We had alot of laughs with Gert. As Ron's cousin, who was the baby of his family, we weren't around her as much as the older ones were but we always had a laugh with her. Will miss her dearly. "

Lori Shawgo wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"Aunt Gert was an amazing person to those around her. Her family, friends and her patients. She was my inspiration to enter the medical field and care for those around me. She will be missed. "

Howard(Danny)Soper wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"To David,Willard and Ann,and all of Gert's family:Sure enjoyed when Maurice and her. when my mother and I were square dancing with Skirt and Shirt in Canton.God bless everyone in this time of loss.Danny Soper."

Deb Kuchan Eskridge wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"Condolences to all. Sincerely, Deb Kuchan Eskridge"

Mary McCoy wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"Was a very loving sister. Lived with her before she got married. Enjoyed doing many things with her square dancing, camping, on a cruise, trip to Europe, Worlds fair in Tenn,Stayed in Condo in Branson and saw shows probably more things I don't remember. I will certainly miss her the rest of my life"

Janet Edmonds wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"My heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the family, May fond memories and God?s loving words carry you through and beyond this difficult time of mourning Isaiah 57:15"

Ray and Judy Brown wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"We are so sorry to hear of Gert passing away. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Dave and family. She will be missed by so many and touched so many of our lives with her good works."

Janet McCaughey wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"My thoughts and prayers are with the family. Gert was a good friend. I enjoyed playing bridge with her. So sorry for your loss. "

Sandra Grzanich Szpyrka wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"Gert was a great nurse and mentor. She was a family friend and took me under her wing when I worked in ICU as a CNA. I later graduated from nursing school and was able to share some of my experiences with her. Gert was one of the influences in my career decision. She was one of the best! Condolences to the family."

Kelly Elson wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"My condolences to the family. I worked with Gert for years and always respected her knowledge and commitment. A wonderful nurse and very nice lady."

Maria & Martin Prinz wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"Of the 32,880 days she lived on earth, we only got to know her on 31 days and that was enough to see how good and warm she was. We are very sad."

George Meacham wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"Knew Gert while working on fire dept. Very fine person. God bless her an her family"

Steven White wrote on Jun 17, 2020:

"So sorry for your loss, Gert was always a Special Lady...."