Carol A. Schwartz, nee Stonum, 91, of Columbia, Illinois, formerly of Cahokia, Illinois, born December 24, 1934 in St. Louis, Missouri, passed on Friday, October 23, 2026, at her residence.

Carol was a retired school teacher from Cahokia School District 187. She earned a Masters Degree at SIU-E. She had a strong passion for teaching line dancing and continued doing it as long as she was able. She loved to travel and she always lived her life so that she would not have any regrets.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Schwartz; her parents, Harry and Josephine, nee Ruhrmann, Stonum; and a brother, Harry Stonum.

Surviving are her children, Cheri Cox of Imperial, MO, Chris (Danny) Peters of Columbia, IL, Cindy (Patrick) McMullan of Columbia, IL, and Rob (Suzanne) Schwartz of Godfey, IL; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. She was also a dear sister-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend.

Condolences may be expressed online at braunfh.com.

Memorials may be made to Glaucoma Research Foundation or the American Heart Association.

In following Carol's wishes a private cremation will be held. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 9, 2026 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia, Illinois followed with a burial at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri. A Celebration of Life will be held at Turner Hall in Columbia, Illinois following the burial.