Obituary

Byrdena Schuneman-Baugh, 98

March 22, 1924 to March 23, 2022

3-22-1924 - 3-23-2022

Byrdena Maye Schuneman-Baugh, 98, of  Bradford, Illinois, passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at her daughter's home.

Byrdena was born in Fayette County, Iowa, on March 22, 1924, the daughter of William Francis and Hazel C. (Gell) Moore. On October 3, 1943, Byrdena married Bernard "Ben" Schuneman in Wadena, Iowa. Together they enjoyed 56 years of marriage until his death on October 7, 1999. She later married Charles L. Baugh on February 9, 2008, and they cared for each other until his death on March 13, 2016.

She graduated from Wadena High School with the Class of 1940. She later earned her Bachelor's Degree from Huntington College, Huntington, Indiana, and her Master's Degree from Bradley University, Peoria, Illinois.

While raising seven children, Byrdena was a teacher for 27 years, last teaching in the Bradford School District. She impacted the lives of countless students over the years. Equally as important to her were the many lives she touched with her Christian witness. After the loss of Ben, she answered a call to become a missionary (at the tender age of 77!) and made four separate trips to China, where she taught English and worked with Christian ministries in that country. She also traveled to Poland, England, and Kentucky for mission work.

Byrdena was very active in her community. She was a contributing columnist for the Prairie Times newspaper for seven years. She also wrote, edited, and published a book on the history of Bradford entitled Bradford from 1850-2000. The proceeds from this endeavor helped to fund a number of community projects. She was a member of the Bunker Hill Church of God in Buda, Illinois, serving in many capacities, but with a special heart for missions. She was also a member of the Bradford Community Development Council, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and TOPS.

Byrdena was a loving and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a cherished friend to many. A treasured memory for many of her grandkids was spending time together with their cousins at Grandma and Grandpa Schuneman’s home in Bradford during the summer for Vacation Bible School. She led a long and meaningful life and will be missed dearly. However, her family rejoices in her home going, with full assurance that she is in Heaven with her Lord.

She is survived by three sons, Chris (Debbie) Schuneman of Alton, IL, B. "Bernie" Joel (Nancy) Schuneman of Sycamore, IL, and Brian (Andrea) Schuneman of Bloomington, IL; two daughters, Mary (Gary) Reed of Chillicothe, IL, and Lorna (Don) Code of DeKalb, IL; two daughters-in law, Charlene Schuneman of Henderson, NV, and Julie Schuneman of Jacksonville, FL; 19 grandchildren: Kami, Trent, George, Kitra, Benjamin, Keely, Nicholas, Mary, Matthew, Sara, Jeremy, Sara, Andrea, Jaclyn, Hannah, Jeffrey, Tucker, Abigail, and Allison; 25 great-grandchildren; one sister, Francile (Robert) Cummings; one sister-in law, Polly Lickhart; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, two sons, Stephen Schuneman and Forrest "Frosty" Schuneman, two brothers, and one sister.

Byrdena’s family would like to thank the dedicated and caring team from ProMedica (formerly Heartland) Hospice.  There are no words to express our gratitude to Cody, Markeda, Lance, Toni, Sara, and Robin for their compassionate and tender care for our mother.

A memorial visitation will be held from 9:00 - 11:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2022, followed by a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. at Bunker Hill Church of God in Buda, with Bill Allison officiating. Inurnment will be in the Manlius Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Bunker Hill Church of God; Hillcrest Covenant Church of DeKalb for missions; or the Bradford Betterment Committee. Online condolences may be sent to www.grant-johnsonfh.com.

Services Condolences Tributes

Visitation

9:00-11:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2022

Address:

Bunker Hill Church of God
322 School St
Buda, IL 61314

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Funeral/Service

11:30 a.m. Friday, April 22, 2022

Address:

Bunker Hill Church of God
322 School St
Buda, IL 61314

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Burial

Address:

Manlius Cemetery
S 2nd St.
Manlius, IL 61338

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"My love and condolences to the family of sweet Byrdena. She will always remain in my heart and so will my memories of her and her family."

Karen Schuneman

April 20th, 2022

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"To a woman who has touched so many lives with her spirit! I want to say thank you for always taking the time to make me feel special and loved. You were an amazing grandmother, and I always think of you when I'm planting flowers! May you rest with the angels now grandma... with all our love.."

Ben & Salvi Schuneman

April 6th, 2022

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"Your mom was my English teacher and she was tremendous. We enjoyed her and your dad in church too. Our sympathy for all of you but she's where she's happy!!_"

Mary Ellis Hansen

April 2nd, 2022

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"Dear Chris, Joel, Mary, Lorna, Brian & families, Sad to hear of your Mom's passing but what a life she did live! She definitely was a force of nature and a wonderful role model for those of us who were fortunate to call her our teacher. I always said that teaching English was my 2nd choice if I had not chosen the nursing profession as my career path, and that was because of your Mom. I also have many fond memories of your Mom and mine from church. Those FHC ladies were the work horses at First Baptist. Even now I remember the last time I spoke with your Mom was at my Mom's funeral as she was one of the few remnants of that FHC class who assisted others with Mom's funeral meal. I was fortunate to have known her in my growing up years. I am sad that Jim & I will be unable to attend her Celebration of Life in April as we will be at a family wedding. We will keep you in our prayers. God's peace and comfort to you and your families. "

Alice (Johnson) Bremner

March 29th, 2022

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"I loved your mom! We taught together at Bradford High School for several years and we would visit when we were able to see each other, whether it was at the post office, at the bank or just uptown. She was a no-nonsense sort of person as all of those that new her well. I remember the first day at Bradford High School for me in 1977. I had Brian in music class and when lunch time rolled around, I told her that I had her grandson in class that morning. Well, she smiled and told me that Brian was her son. Everyone laughed and she took it as a joke too. I had egg on my face for years after. Byrdena is in Heaven now and no longer suffering. I can't wait to see her when it is my time. God watch over all of you and he will take care of you in your mourning "

Gary Black

March 26th, 2022

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"What a beautiful Christian person. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher, neighbor, and friend. Thank you for sharing your Christian witness with so many people. You have truly earned your reward. Rest in the arms of Jesus ."

Cinda Scott

March 26th, 2022

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