Mrs. Sarmiento retired as the secretary for the superintendent and board of education of Belle Valley School District 119, where she had worked for 34 years. She was a member of St. Matthew United Methodist Church, Belleville, IL, where she also belonged to the Christian Heirs Sunday school class and the New Life Club. Lou was a member of the American Business Women’s Association, the St. Clair County Historical Society, the Women of the Moose Chapter 53, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. She loved to bowl, golf, and play cards with her many friends. She and her husband traveled extensively throughout the world.
Lou was preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, Joselin “Joe” Sarmiento, whom she married on June 10, 1977, and who died on March 17, 2007; her parents, James “Jarvis” and Eva, nee Shellhorse, Swinney; three sisters, Maxine H. (Joe) Pruett, Hazel R. (Norman) Heinke, and Marjorie I. (Bill) Kueneke; and two brothers, James J. (Dorothy) Swinney and David R. Swinney.
Surviving are her sister, Patricia P. (Richard) Hicks of Belleville, IL;
and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to St. Matthew United Methodist Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, August 5, 2015, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2015, at the funeral home with Rev. James Slone and Rev. Larry Patton officiating. Burial will be at Green Mount Cemetery, New Baden, IL.
Condolences Left For Louella Sarmiento
We extend our sympathy to Lou’s family. Lou was a most unique lady who was always fun to be with and very loving to both of us. She was filled with life, never fearful of giving her opinion to or about anyone or any circumstance. Being under the shelter of her wings was an honor. Lou will be missed by many people who knew they were loved by her and who loved her in return.
Steve and Connie Balen, Palm Harbor, Florida, 34684
Lou, “MOM” adopted me the first year I was teaching at Belle Valley as my birth Mom died that year. We had so much fun through the years as I taught and after I moved from Belleville. There was never a birthday or Christmas that she forgot me. I remember borrowing her diamonds to wear on a date! She was “grandma” to my two boys. So happy I was able to spend our last Mother’s Day together in May 2015. How lucky I am that I was traveling and able to make it happen. I will really miss her presence in my heart and life. Sheila Stabile Oakton, VA
Sheila (Gholson) Stabile, Oakton, VA, 22124