April 28, 1934 – January 25, 2026
Matilda Catherine Hemrich, age 91, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 12:11 PM – Sunday, January 25, 2026, at HSHS St Anthony Memorial Hospital in Effingham, Illinois.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM – Monday, February 2, 2026, at Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois, with Father Tomy Philip, celebrating mass. The burial will be in the Mount Calvary Cemetery in Newton, Illinois. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM – Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the church and again from 9:30 to 10:30 AM before the mass. In loving memory of Matilda, memorials may be made to Saint Thomas Church. Arrangements are pending at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois.
Matilda was born on April 28, 1934, in Stringtown, Illinois, the daughter of Frank and Gertrude (Kapper) Blank. She married Delbert E. Hemrich on October 22, 1957, at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Olney, Illinois. Together, they shared 51 years of marriage, before his passing on April 3, 2009.
Matilda was a faithful member of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. She was a kind-hearted, devoted homemaker, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her life was full, as she and Delbert selflessly raised their 10 children.
Matilda is survived by her 4 sons and 6 daughters.
Joe (Shelley) Hemrich, Donna (Max) Bunton, Georgia (Glenn) Kocher, Mike (Libby) Hemrich, Brian (Sherri) Hemrich, Brenda (Randy) Bergbower, Joyce (Rick) Zuber, Rob (Kelly) Hemrich, Jennie Lambird (special friend Steve), and Michelle (Jason) Kinder.
Additionally surviving, are 31 grandchildren: Erica, Dylan, Blake, Bethany, Brenna, Angela, Rachael, Sheila, Matthew, Sarah, Joshua, Leah, Broc, Ashley, Kaci, Derek, Brigit, Travis, Tiffany, Charity, Adrianna, Jake, Jordan, Garrett, Kade, Clint, Kreed, Haley, Jesse, Jack, and Jett.
32 great-grandchildren survive as well, with 2 more arriving in 2026.
Also surviving is a sister-in-law Dolores Hemrich of Olney, Illinois, along with many nieces and nephews, some who remember her as “Aunt Boots”.
Matilda was preceded in death by her parents, husband, as well as her siblings, Frank Blank, Jr, Wilbert (Wib) Blank, Cletus (Bud) Blank, Pauline Ochs, and Petronella (Pet) Volk, and great grandson, Jameson Charles Carpenter.
After raising her children, babysitting grandchildren, and losing her spouse, Matilda lived a quiet, simple, and humble life in Newton. On February 3, 2025, Matilda experienced a traumatic fall at home. After surgeries and rehabilitation, she has spent the last nine months of her life as a very content resident of Willowbrook Memory Care Center in Effingham, Illinois. The family is grateful for the compassionate care that the staff gave to her during her stay there.
A special thank you also is sent to St. Anthony’s 5th floor nurses, and ICU nurses, as well as Dr. Opilka, Dr. Vaca, and Dr. Walker. Their skilled care and concern was necessary, valued and appreciated during the last 2 weeks of Matilda’s life.
