June Schuneman

JUNE HIGLEY SCHUNEMAN STERLING - June Higley Schuneman, 95, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, December 28, 2011. June was born June 2, 1916 in Sterling, the daughter of H. Morton and Bessie (Jones) Higley. At the age of 6, her family moved to Tampico. After graduating from Tampico High School in 1934, June went to Peoria to complete her education. After which, she returned to Sterling, met the love of her life and married Clayton R. Schuneman in 1939 at the Tampico Methodist Church. She happily supported Clayton in the many civic and religious activities he so graciously took part in. June was a 55-year member of PEO and held offices down through the years. She loved nature and spent every chance she had in the outdoors. June also loved to sing, do needle work, playing bridge, reading and making crafts for the Hospital Auxiliary Fall Bazaar. She was one of the original Pink Ladies for the Hospital Auxiliary. June sang for over 50 years in the church choir. June was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Sterling and was actively involved in the Feed the Children Program through the Salvation Army. June lived a full and vibrant life. She will be remembered as a charismatic, strong, confident, loving and loyal nana, mother, sister and friend. May she be smiling from heaven pleased with the full and wonderful life she lived and the many lives she so positively and beautifully touched. Survivors include one daughter, Ann Gruber, of Bettendorf, IA; one daughter-in-law, Ana Schuneman, of Albuquerque, NM; four grandchildren, Ian James, of Johnson, VT, Catherine Hilton, of Cedar Rapids, IA, Micaela Schuneman Johnson, of Minneapolis, MN, and Clayton R. Schuneman II, of Iowa City, IA; and many friends, young and old. She was preceded in death by her husband of many years; her parents; one brother, Robert Higley; two sisters, Fern Murray and Hazel Coleman; her precious son, Thomas R. Schuneman; and a precious little great-granddaughter. A memorial service will be held at 7 PM, Friday, December 30, 2011 at Wesley United Methodist Church with Pastor Nancy Weingartner, officiating. Burial will be at the Manlius Cemetery at a later date. Cremation rites have been accorded. Arrangements were made by Schilling Funeral Home. A memorial has been established to the Wesley United Methodist Church.