Arline J. Wittenauer

Arline Johanna (nee Sandidge) Wittenauer, 94, of Hecker, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at her home in Hecker. 

Arline was born to Clarence and Emma (nee Rheinheimer) Sandidge on Sandidge's Hill north of Freeburg, IL on Father's Day, Sunday, June 21st, 1931.

Twenty years later, on Thursday, June 21st, 1951, she wed the love of her life, Joseph Thomas Wittenauer at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Freeburg. He preceded her in death on March 4, 2002. They worked side by side running Hecker Feed Service together until their retirement.

Joe and Arline were blessed with six children: Gary (Joan) Wittenauer of Hecker, Vicki Wittenauer of Hecker, Jolene Wittenauer of Springfield, IL, Annette Lovelace of New Athens, IL, Ricky (Anne) Wittenauer of Red Bud, IL and Mary (Jeff) Hooten of Red Bud.

Arline loved her nine grandchildren immensely: Carey (Chris) Day, Eric (Sarah) Wittenauer, Cathy (Gary) Powell, Joy Amann, Adam (Kyra) Wittenauer, Ryan Wittenauer, Justin Wittenauer, Matthew Hooten, and Johanna Hooten. Arline's twelve great grandchildren brought her incredible joy, always bringing out her signature smile: Emma, Ellie & Jack Day, Carolyn Jo & Gabrielle Wittenauer, Autumn & Caroline Powell, Trinity Alfaro, Kayleigh Renner, Lorelei, Adalynn, & Nolan Wittenauer. 

In addition to her family, Arline is survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as cousins, and countless friends.Arline was the final member of her generation in both the Clarence and Emma Sandidge and John and Eleanora Wittenauer family trees. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and his parents, an infant brother, great grandchild McKenna Anne Wittenauer, her sister and brother-in-law Lucille (Ralph) Recker, son-in-law David Lovelace, and brothers and sisters-in-law. 

Arline possessed a deep faith in God and was active throughout her life as a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury parish in Hecker. She was an avid Cardinals fan and enjoyed attending any sporting event her children, grandchildren, or great grandchildren were playing in. She truly loved her time with family, cherishing innumerable breakfasts at her favorite spots alongside her favorite people. She was a talented quilter and enjoyed the camaraderie and laughs shared doing so with her friends. 

Over the years, Arline was involved in several organizations including Gibault Mothers' Club, Monroe County Home Extension, and the Altar Sodality. For years she organized blood drives in Hecker for the American Red Cross. 

Arline always enjoyed life's simplest pleasures. She appreciated Sunday afternoon matinees performed by MASC. She despised the cold but relished warm summer afternoons with a glass of wine and maybe even an occasional cigarette on her deck while family and friends dropped by for a visit. Those visits were especially sweet if she could also admire the work she put in on her riding mower and her freshly cut lawn. 

She possessed an adventurous spirit others admired. She never let age dictate what she was and wasn't going to do. At 80 she jumped out of a perfectly functioning airplane. It was just the beginning of years of her crossing things off a bucket list and fully embracing life: shooting guns, taking helicopter and motorcycle rides, getting tattoos, paragliding and parasailing to name a few. Now, her bucket list is complete. 

She was a dear friend to so many and will be greatly missed as Mom, Grandma, and Granny. She leaves an unfillable hole in many hearts, but her legacy of "Love Ya" will carry on.

As an expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions to:
St. Augustine Education Fund or Gibault Scholarship Fund

Visitation:
2 PM to 6 PM Sunday, April 19, 2026 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL
9 AM to 10 AM Monday, April 20, 2026 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker, IL

Funeral Mass:
10 AM Monday, April 20, 2026 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker, IL 
     Father Linus Umoren officiating
Interment will follow at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker, IL