Iris Audry Newman Schoonover
Iris Audry Newman Schoonover, 96, of Liberty passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side October 15, 2022. She was born September 17, 1926 in New Orleans, LA the daughter of Frederick Alphonse and Honorine Elizabeth (Aylies) Newman.
She graduated from Francis T. Nichols High School in New Orleans as Valedictorian of her class.
While volunteering at a USO club in New Orleans she met William Schoonover, a young sailor from Illinois. Three months later they were married and after discharge from the service moved with him to his family farm in Illinois. They were married 47 years until his passing in 1994.
Iris loved her family above all worldly things, dedicating her life to raising her children. When her youngest child started school she went to work at St. Mary’s Hospital in the pediatric department continuing to care for children until her retirement. She was a long time member of St. Brigid Catholic Church in Liberty and taught religion classes for over 20 years. In 2019 she received the Woman of Distinction Award from the Springfield diocese in appreciation of her leadership and services to the church and community. She was a long time member of the Liberty American Legion Auxiliary. In her spare time she was an avid reader and puzzler. She also loved to knit. She knitted countless Christmas stockings for family and friends.
She is survived by her children Stephen Schoonover and his wife Susie of Quincy, Jack Schoonover and his wife Sue of Macomb, Scott Schoonover and his wife Ramona of Liberty, Victoria-Jo Riley and her husband Korbin of Henderson, Nevada and Paul ‘Skip’ Schoonover and his wife Beverly of Liberty, Grandchildren, Stephanie Schoonover, Jeremy (Jeni) Schoonover of Quincy, Casey (Nick Wright) Schoonover of Ipava, Robert (Katrina Thomas) Schoonover of the Twin Cities, MN, Brett (Katie) Schoonover of Lubbock, TX, Shelby (Tom) Crow, Christopher Schoonover (Jennifer Jordan) of Liberty, Tyler (Kayleigh) Riley, Seth (Meagan) Riley of Powell, Ohio, Katie (Ryan Walburn) Riley of Erie, CO, William (Heaven) Schoonover, Dylan (Rose) Schoonover of Liberty. 16 Great Grandchildren, her sister Verna Skummy of Virginia Beach, VA. Numerous nieces, nephews and two very special friends Debbie Maas and Kay Lentz.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by her parents, her oldest son William Schoonover who died serving our country in 1968, her brother Jack, an infant brother Vernon and a dear friend Brenda Rice whom she considered a daughter.
The family would like to thank Kim Simpson and Lori Viar for helping care for our Mom and Brenda Blickhan with Blessing Hospice and Palliative Care for her help in this difficult time.
Iris requested an intimate burial. Private funeral services are being planned.
Service arrangements are in care of the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home.
Memorials can be made to the Liberty Education Foundation or Blessing Hospice and Palliative Care.
I didn’t know Iris, but from reading her obituary, I can see that she touch so many people in different ways thru out her life. A special lady for sure!
We are so sorry for your loss. May God grant you peace and comfort.
Aunt Iris there is a void in the world now that will never be filled. You were bigger than life in my memories and talking with you always made me laugh. My love goes out to my dear cousins and their families at this time and always.
Skip, Bev, Billy & Dylan- We are so sorry about the loss of your mom/ grandma. They are a gift that we treasure for the time we have them, then for the memories of them. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Hugs and blessings at this time.
Katie and family, Your grandmother was a beautiful woman. We are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May your precious memories bring you comfort within your sorrow.
Skip and family, So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you all.
We remember Iris as she walked the halls of St.Mary Hospital leaving her footprint on the St.Mary Legacy.
Sending our sympathy in thoughts & prayers to her family .
The St.Mary Hospital Community
So very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother, She was a great woman. May your memories carry you through this time of grief. Prayers to all.
We have lost a wonderful human being. Iris was such a friend to my parents & family and full of wit & humor. I know she gave husband Bill and son William big hugs when she met them !! Condolences to Stephen, Jack, Scott, & Skip and all the spouses & grandchildren.
Scott and family so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you
One of the best to work with. So sorry. ❤️
To the entire Schoonover family: Your family will always have a special connection to the Sparrow family. We loved your mom and dad and spending time together with your family. Your parents were very much like ours. We had so much fun together in our lives. May God bring all of you comfort and Peace. I can hear Iris now, speaking so fast I had to listen extremely close to understand it all. She was just great!! May Iris rest in peace!!
I haven’t seen Iris in years but I can still picture her in my mind – during the late 1980s at Liberty grade school after a school event with her arms stretched wide saying “Come over her sweetheart” where she’d give you a warm, heartfelt embrace.
Whether you wanted a hug or not, you were getting one from Iris! She was certainly a staple of the Liberty community. Much sympathies to her family.
I worked with Iris in Pediatrics at St. Mary’s. I remember her as a wonderful person, co-worker, and caregiver. My sympathy to her family. May she Rest In Peace.
So sorry for your loss. The sweet memories will help get you through. Prayers for you and your family
Skip, Bill and Dylan (and families) so very sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers!
My condolences to a wonderful family. Iris was a very sweet lady and had a life to be celebrated! God bless.
She was one of a kind…a lovely lady. My sincere sympathy to her wonderful family.
Iris was a wonderful woman whom I remember as being a huge supporter of me and my family. She had so many words of wisdom and loved others deeply. Her and Bill are having a beautiful reunion in heaven. Rest In Peace.
Iris was a very special lady ! She was full of wit , laughter , love ! May all the Schoonover family have our deepest sympathy and prayers
My deepest sympathies to the family. I was blessed to have Iris as one of my religious education teachers! Such a warm, loving, special lady! Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord. ❤️
Prayers of comfort to the family. She was such a wonderful contributor to her community and church.
Loved working with Iris at St Mary’s. Such a kind and caring lady. Rest easy Iris you have well deserved.
Iris was so special in so many ways. One was her ability to spot the TRUTH of what was happening in a situation and her willingness to go ahead and try to do something about it. Her sharp wit, wisdom, laughter, and most of all her prayers will always be missed. Eternal rest grant unto you, Iris. Heaven is an even better place with you in it.
Worked with Iris for many years- Wonderful person, Loved when she was scheduled when I was.JKG