Karen Meskil

Karen Meskil, ever so immensely loved mother, wife, sister, aunt, grand and great-grandmother, as well as joy and friend to all she met, passed on March 12, 2025, at the age of 83.

Karen was born on September 20, 1941, to Clarence and Lucilda (Bellm) Schultz, who she had such love for and treasured memories of her youth with, growing up on a farm outside of Highland, IL. She shared her childhood and life with beloved sisters, Geraldine “Gerry” Buehne who preceded her in death and Marilyn Meskil who survives. Karen very much enjoyed spending holidays and other special events with family and attending reunions with her beloved Schultz, Bellm and Meskil relatives.

Through the marriage of her sister Marilyn to Harold Meskil, Karen was introduced to his brother, Verlin Meskil. The two fell in love and the young couple wed on May 13, 1961. They raised three children together, Donna, Glenn, and Cathy who survive. They spent their life together loving each other, their children and grandchildren, always making special memories for those left behind to hold dear. Karen suffered the passing of her husband last August. She was also tragically preceded in death by two newborn twin sons, Bruce and Brian, in 1964 and her beloved first grandchild, a granddaughter, Krystle, in 2020.

Karen will be forever treasured in the memory of and greatly missed each and every day by her two daughters. As their mother so often said, “I don’t know what I’d do without my two girls.”; her daughters will go forward not knowing what to do without their mom, who hope and believe she always knew how very much they adored and loved her. They will miss everything about her… talking to her every day, opening the door to see her always big smile, laughing with her, getting comfort and love, sharing in the joys and sorrows, deeply loving her grandkids, being the center of their world and hugging her tightly.

Along with her daughters, “Gram”/ “Grandma”, was loved and will be missed by her surviving grandchildren Kory (Casey) Meskil, Bruce, Brian and Brad (Sierra) Meskil, and Elle Jae and Anniston Deiters along with the great-grandchildren she adored.

Karen had many friendships throughout her life and know that she will be remembered fondly for the person she was and the good times they shared. She was an active resident of the community, helping with different events in Keyesport where her and her husband built their life, at the school their children attended and St. Teresa’s Catholic Church.

Karen always had fun with co-workers at different places of employment when she would work to add to the family income, but her favorite job was that of full-time mom. She later helped elderly and disabled at Carlyle Healthcare and enjoyed an early retirement from Murray Center in Centralia.

Karen was a lifelong fan of soap operas which would be part of the daily conversations with her first-born daughter and enjoyed Facebook and playing games on her tablet.

With a private family ceremony, Karen’s final resting place will be alongside her husband at Wisetown Cemetery.

Karen was always so well-liked by everyone with her sweetness and fun nature. She will be missed by many, but none more than her two girls.

A mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend, pal and buddy.

Memorials in honor of Karen may be made to the wishes of the family (checks payable to Donna or Cathy Meskil) and will be received by mail, Moss Funeral Home, 535 N 5^th St. Breese, IL 62230, who is serving the family.