Constance "Connie" Kathryn Staudt McNeilus

Constance “Connie” Kathryn Staudt McNeilus, age 82 of Mattoon, IL was greeted with open arms by her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, January 30, 2026, while surrounded by her daughters. A funeral Mass will take place at 10:00 AM, Friday, February 6, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 320 N. 21st Street, Mattoon, IL 61938. A visitation will be held Thursday, February 5, 2026, from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL. A vigil Rosary service will be performed prior to the visitation at 3:30 PM at the funeral home. A committal service will be held at a later date in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Roseville, Iowa. Connie was born August 26, 1943, to the late Mark Nicholas and Kathryn Louise (Heinz) Staudt in Floyd County, IA. Connie is survived by her daughters, Jackie Fiser and husband Steve of La Grange, KY, Annette Smith of Mattoon, IL, and Patti Riedemann and husband Brad of Mattoon, IL; her grandchildren include Nick Fiser and wife Claire, of Jacksonville Beach, FL, Katie Russell and husband Eric of Nashville, TN, Lindsay Smith of Mattoon, IL, Molly Gerdes and husband Max of La Grange, KY, Garrett Smith and wife Tara of Charleston, IL, Jordan Smith and wife Lori of Mattoon, IL, Bailey Riedemann of Temple, TX, Macy Riedemann of Ames, IA, Olivia Riedemann of Mattoon, IL; great-grandchildren include Aaron, Hadley, Eleanor, Finnley, Remy, Rosie, Culpy, and Penny; brothers, Larry Staudt and wife Judy of Greene, IA, and Kenny Staudt and wife Teresa of Marble Rock, IA; several nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Connie is also survived by four grandpuppies, a grandkitty, and a grandbunny, all of whom brought her so much joy. She grew up on a beautiful family farm with her parents, brothers, grandparents, and her Uncle Lawrence. Her family attended church, and Connie and her brothers attended school, both at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Roseville, Iowa. She graduated in 1961 from Rockford High School. After graduating, Connie went to the big city of Des Moines to attend business school. She married Larry McNeilus in 1963. They made their home in Charles City, IA. They welcomed three very loved daughters into the world, Jackie, Annette, and Patti. In 1983, the family moved to Mattoon, IL. In 1987, Connie began working at Wal-Mart. Here she made so, so many friends. Customers and coworkers alike all loved Connie and warmly recognized her as "the fabric lady." She retired from Walmart in 2018. Around this same time, Connie moved next door to her youngest daughter and her family, giving them the most precious memories of planting flowers, weeding, cooking, baking, sewing, swinging, sliding, eating, celebrating, and completing puzzles together. Connie will be lovingly remembered as a devout Catholic who gave so much of herself in many ways over the years to her church. She was an incredible homemaker, a cross-stitcher extraordinaire, a detailed seamstress, lover of all animals, the best cook, the very, very best baker this side of heaven, and lover of all things chocolate. Most of all, she will be remembered and missed because of her warmth, her unwavering support of her friends and loved ones, her faith, her sense of humor, and because she was the most fabulous momma and grandma her girls could ever ask for. The family wants to thank Copper Creek Cottages for the exemplary care, dignity, compassion, and professionalism Connie has received over the last few years, and thank Transitions Hospice for the grace, care, and love that she received in her final months. The outpouring of love from the staff was so kind, and lasting friendships have been made because of the relationships built.

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Constance "Connie" Kathryn Staudt McNeilus

August 26, 1943 - January 30, 2026