Juanita Elaine (Ward) Schmitz, 70, of Montgomery, IL passed to eternal life on July 4th, 2021 in her home surrounded by her family after her courageous battle with stomach cancer. Juanita was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on October 23rd, 1950 to Manuel and Bernita (Hughes) Ward. She graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1968. She was an amazing stay-at-home mother while her four children were young. She then went to work for the Kane County Forest Preserve for 20+ years. She retired with her loving husband in 2013. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and of course the "Casino". Juanita loved her family more than anything in the world. She had an amazing hand at painting, had a beautiful voice, and was such a beautiful soul. She lived her life to the fullest. Juanita is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, John R. Schmitz, Sr.; their children: John R. (Dolly) Schmitz, Jr. of Aurora, IL, Jeris (Robert) Schmitz of IN, Jessica (Carlos) Mata of Montgomery, IL, son-in-law, Chris (Mary) Lehnert of Frankfort, IL; her 6 amazing grandchildren: Kahla Hoffmann, Sydney Lehnert, James and Mason Rozell and Madison and Devin Mata; her father, Manuel Ward of Jacksonville, IL; a sister, Janet (John) Coulter of Athens, Alabama; a half- brother, Larry Ball of Arizona; her step-sister, Judy (Harry) Buck of Jacksonville, IL; her sisters-in-law, Mary (Schmitz) Loosebrock of Minnesota and Mary Lou Ward of Jacksonville, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews. Juanita was preceded in death by her mother, Bernita Rossum; her stepmother, Robertine Ward; her mother and father-in-law, Alfred and Inez Schmitz; a brother, Manuel Eugene Ward; a brother-in-law, Leo Loosebrock; a niece, Marybeth (Buck) Vetter; and her oldest daughter, Jeanette (Schmitz) Lehnert. Private funeral arrangements are being handled by Dunn Family Funeral Home with Crematory, 1801 S. Douglas Rd., Oswego, IL 60543. For information: (630) 554-3888 or www.dunnfamilyfuneralhome.com.