Edna M. Dillon

Edna M. Dillon, nee Habermehl, 95, of Swansea, IL, born Wednesday, September 14, 1927, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away at her home Friday, January 20, 2023 with her daughters by her side.

Known affectionately as “Eddie” and “Grandma Eddie”, she loved her family and friends with all of her heart and made everyone laugh – most of the time unintentionally.

Eddie was a proud 1946 graduate of St. Teresa Academy in E. St. Louis, IL. She was an amazing woman who we were blessed to have in our lives for so many years.

She had a great affinity for the Blessed Virgin Mary and gave each of her three daughters the middle name of Mary or Marie in her honor. It really didn’t help though, as she told us she ended up with three lunatics.

She was preceded in death by her:

• Beloved husband of 61 years: Thomas J. Dillon
• Daughter: Rose Dillon Clark
• Grandson: Brian Beckmann
• Son-in-law’s
  • Roger Beckmann
  • Jack Yaekel
• Parents: William and Mamie, née Poff, Habermehl
• Brothers
  • William Habermehl who died at the age of 6 months
  • George (Rose) Habermehl
• Sister
  • Wilma (Lloyd) Withrow
  • Lillian (Joe) Roberts
  • Katy Habermehl
  • Dorothy McIntyre
• Brother-in-law: Donald McAlister, Sr.
• Niece: Nancy Roberts Wilson
• Nephew: Donald McAlister, Jr.
• Great niece: Jessica McAlister

She is survived by her:

• Daughters
  • Kathleen Yaekel of Columbia IL
  • Tricia Beckmann of Hoffman, IL

Edna liked to say “Kathleen takes care of all my medical needs and Tricia is my quiet angel who does all the work”.

She is also survived by her:

• Beloved grandsons who made her so proud and were the light of her life
  • JT (Nichelle Baldwin) Yaekel of St Louis, MO
  • Bradley Beckmann of Hoffman IL
• Great grandchildren that brought her endless joy
  • Luke and Tessa Beckmann of Breese, IL
    • ( who once guessed that Grandma Eddie was 150 years old)
• Brother: Robert ( Linda) Habermehl of Highland, IL
• Sister: Dolores McAlister of Belleville, IL
• Many cherished nieces and nephews

She had a special relationship with:

• Pam, Linda, Bill, Doug and Tina, who she loved beyond measure.
• Lifelong friend: Lois Reeves
• Dear friend: Dorothy Hawkins
• All of her girls at Hoffman House, especially Brittany

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois or St. Augustine Food Pantry.

Visitation: Visitation from 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm, Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm, Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Msgr. Bill McGhee officiating. Private interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville, IL.