Elizabeth, aged 99, formerly of Chillicothe, IL, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family members on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Elizabeth was born on October 26, 1925, in Chicago, IL to John and Catherine (Sullivan) Schellhaus. She married the love of her life, Fred D. Rockwell on September 10, 1955, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic church in Chicago, and together they raised 5 children. 

She was preceded in death by her husband Fred, her parents, her only sibling John .J Schellhaus, and infant son Edward.

Surviving are her five children, Catherine (Jerry Alger) Rockwell of Glen Ellyn, IL, John (Linda) of Geneva, IL, Michael (Catherine) of Cave Creek, AZ, Elizabeth (David) Rockwell of Peoria, and Timothy of Sturgeon Bay, WI; 11 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Liz was a devout Catholic and of strong faith her entire life, always active in the Church and sharing daily prayer with family, especially Fred. She attended both Catholic grade school and high school and encouraged her family to do the same. She was an incredibly devoted mother and wife. 

She was raised in Chicago during the Depression, when the local butcher on the corner had sawdust on the floor, horse-drawn carriages delivered her family’s milk and ice, and riding on street cars was the mode of public transportation in the city. Liz spoke of them all fondly as part of her childhood memories.

During most of her life, Liz really enjoyed spending time at the beloved family cottage built by her uncle on a small inland lake in southwest Michigan. Her family didn’t own a car, so the only travel option early on was by train, which made a stop in the nearby town. And for the rest of her life, Liz thoroughly enjoyed just going to watch the passenger train roll through town, and often brought the rest of the family with her. It always brought her back to the travel excitement of her youth. 

The cottage was a classic summer place, with the unspoiled air from the surrounding woods and lake providing a unique, fresh fragrance for the area. And that sweet scent was often added to with the aroma of delicious fresh-baked blueberry, cherry, or peach pies coming from Liz’s cottage kitchen. She was an outstanding baker and enjoyed it so, and was always happy to teach the rest of the family her skills, where many baked their first pies under her guidance. It was a wonderful retreat, providing cherished family memories for generations to come. Wonderful Ice cream from the local dairy, swimming, fishing, boating, cookouts, and campfires; an escape into the woods from city life, complete with whippoorwills at nighttime, and, of course, an outhouse, 24/7. 

Liz worked for the telephone company after high school, and after WWII, she was active in enjoying the “Big Band” dances in Chicago, where she met Fred at the Edgewater Beach Hotel Ballroom.

They spent the first 15 years of their marriage in Chicago, raising their 5 children and working odd jobs to help make ends meet. As a superb cook, Liz passed that talent on to her children, and one in particular, her son Timothy, who went on to become a Certified Executive Chef. When the holidays came around, she would gladly host the large family gatherings. Along with being a wonderful homemaker, she was a talented seamstress and made many of her children’s dresses and grand grandchildren’s clothing.

Liz had a vibrant, engaging, and bubbly personality, which would suit her well in the years to come, and she made friends easily. And Liz always loved a party!

In 1970, as Fred’s chosen profession was horticulture, they decided to take a huge step and move from Chicago. They purchased a tree nursery in Chillicothe, IL, certainly a culture shock for the entire family, and especially for a lifetime city girl. But Liz enthusiastically jumped right into the country lifestyle. Along with helping to sell nursery stock and later blueberries, it was the Holiday season that she was most fond of. While Fred was outside selling Christmas trees, Liz decided to open her own shop in the barn where folks could come in, warm up, and shop for Holiday gifts, ornaments, etc. She would love to chat while meeting neighbors and making many new friends. She would make hot chocolate and homemade cookie treats for her guests, particularly enjoyed by the kids. It was a job she thoroughly enjoyed.

When Fred retired, they moved to Toulon, IL into a beautiful Victorian home. It was there Liz decided to start a bed and breakfast business. It would turn out to be another undertaking for which she was particularly well suited. As a wonderful cook and possessing a fine gift of gab, she made her guests feel welcome while enlightening them as to the history of the area, her home, and her family.

Liz lived life to the fullest. She loved fun little things like diving off her boat and swimming, going to the Michigan orchards to pick fruit, and just spending time with the family with her usual zest, and she did it well into her 90s. Liz was a wonderful, giving woman, wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma who thoroughly enjoyed her friends and family. If it was an important occasion or she thought she was needed, whether down the street or across the country, regardless of distance or cost, she would be there. She and Fred quietly donated often to the Church, to their children’s education, and to many charities, whether they could afford it or not. Liz had a great sense of humor, a dry, quick wit, along with an inner strength, stubbornness, and a great capacity to love. She was a woman of strong faith and integrity, and was certainly one of a kind. She was a wonderful role model for all, and she will be greatly missed.

Visitation was held at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe, IL on Sunday, May 4, 2025. Funeral Mass was held at St. Mark Catholic Church in Peoria on Monday, May 5, 2025, at 10 am, with recitation of the Rosary at 9:30am. Interment at St Dominic Cemetery in Wyoming, IL immediately followed. Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters of Life charity.

A very special thanks to Stay at Home with Care, LLC, and Compassus Hospice Care and their outstanding staff for the incredibly professional and compassionate care provided to Elizabeth.