Published on November 14, 2026 7:38 am
Last Updated on November 14, 2026 8:28 am
Mary Jane “Janie” (Thies) Schultz, 77, passed away on Friday, November 13, 2026 at her home in Effingham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham with burial in St. Anthony Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 17th at Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. Memorial donations may be given to St. Anthony Schools or to Sarah Bush Hospice.
Mary Jane “Janie” was born on December 22, 1948 in Effingham, the daughter of Louis John and Charlene C. (Keller) Thies. She married Gerald “Jerry” August Schultz on June 6, 1970 at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Effingham. Mary Jane graduated from St. Anthony High School in 1966 and was a lifelong member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, where she was also involved in the Council of Catholic Women. Sgrehe had a giving heart and enjoyed volunteering at her children’s school when they were in grade school. In her free time, she enjoyed going for walks, playing pickleball, and, most of all, spending quality time with her family.
She is survived by her children, Douglas (Michelle) Schultz, Brian (Jill) Schultz, Michael (Marisa) Schultz, Lisa B. (Derek J.) Meinhart; grandchildren, Nathan Schultz, Ryan Schultz, August Schultz, Braxton Schultz, Bella Schultz, Jackson Schultz, Julia Schultz, Donovan Schultz, Liam Schultz, Parker Meinhart, and Presley Jane Meinhart; siblings, Ted (Evelyn) Thies, Louie (Annie) Thies, Gloria (Clem) Uptmore, David (Sharon) Thies, Marlene (Kevin) Koehl, and Sister Patricia Anne Thies.
Mary Jane was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Art Thies; sister-in-law, Virginia Thies; brother-in-law, Jerry Brickley; and her niece, Gwen Thomas.