Rowena Marie Wagy (93) of Newton

Rowena Marie Wagy, age 93, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 4:16 PM Sunday, March 13, 2022 in Helia Healthcare of Newton, Illinois, surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Rowena’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 17, 2022, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, with Fr. Dean Probst celebrating mass. Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 AM at the church. In loving memory of Rowena, memorials may be made to the Oblong Christian Children’s Home. Arrangements are under the care of Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. Condolences may be left by clicking here.

Rowena was born on June 11, 1928, in Fox Township, Jasper County, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond Francis and Laura (Frichtl) Schmidt. She married Victor Ward Wagy on September 25, 1946, in Ste. Marie, Illinois, and he preceded her in death on June 9, 1990. Rowena and Victor owned and operated the Wagy Café for many years. She also owned the Newton Accordion Studio and later worked at Essex. She enjoyed China painting, sewing, gardening, playing the accordion and spending time with her grandchildren. Rowena was a member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.

Rowena is survived by: 7 children - Marsha Wagner of Effingham, Illinois, Rahel (Connie) Wagy of Newton, Illinois; Genie Sanders of Terre Haute, Indiana; Chris (Jan) of Robinson, Illinois; Victor Grant (Debra) Wagy of Effingham, Illinois; Jay (Vonda) Wagy of Yale, Illinois and Dodie Brody of Newton, Illinois Sister-in-law – Florence Schmidt of Newton, Illinois 14 Grandchildren 24 Great grandchildren 7 Great-great grandchildren.

Rowena was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers Ralph, Delbert “Deb”, and Orville “Archie” Schmidt and sister Beatrice “Betty” Weatherford, sisters in law Norma Jean Schmidt, Alfonsina “Al” Schmidt, Virginia Marshall and Joyce Webb, and sons-in-law Norbert Wagner and Charles Sanders.

The Wagy family would like to thank the many health care workers of Sarah Bush Hospice and the staff at Helia Heathcare of Newton, for their compassionate and loving care they have given Rowena over the last year and in her final days.