Della Alice Stewart

Della Alice Stewart, age 91, of St. Elmo, Illinois, passed away Monday, March 09, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her loving family.

Funeral will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at St. Elmo Christian Church in St. Elmo, Illinois. Interment will follow at Springhill Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the start of service. Pastor Jim Quick will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Springhill Cemetery, St. Elmo Christian Church, or St. Elmo Fire Department. Online condolences may be left at www.pagelfuneralhome.com

Della was born on May 13, 1934, in Loudon Township, the daughter of Velma Marie Bartimus. Della grew up in Wright’s Corner, attending Wright School and notably graduating from SECHS at the age of sixteen. After meeting the love of her life at the St. Elmo Theatre, she married Richard William “Bill” Stewart on June 11, 1950 at the Brownstown Christian Church, where the Reverend Harry Kay officiated. Della and Bill were members of the Christian Church for many years, serving and giving back in different ways. She spent many years as a member of the Royal Neighbors of America Local #5784, in which she focused on giving back to the community through fundraising and philanthropy, and served in the capacity of President for over 25 years. She adored crocheting, and spent many hours designing and making treasures for those she loved, including providing handmade winter stocking hats for the St. Elmo School District. Her favorite flower was a yellow rose, which symbolizes the friendship she shared with everyone who knew and loved her. She worked at the Fayette County Hospital as a nursing assistant before spending the majority of her career with Tupperware. She worked for over 30 years in Tupperware sales, eventually rising to the rank of Executive Manager. Della was a homemaker, and a Girl-Scout leader, and loved giving back to her community, and was even recognized as St. Elmo’s 2022 Citizen of the Year.

She is survived by her sons, Lyle Stewart of Robinson and David Stewart of St. Elmo; daughters, Cheyral Stewart-Stein of St. Elmo (companion Eric Cook) and Jill Stewart (husband Phil Nieske) of Urbana; grandchildren, Jared Stein, Stacie Stewart, and Michael Stewart; great-grandchildren, Jacob Stein, Shane Stewart, and Zachery Stein; and great-great-grandchildren, Myah, Kaden, Noah, Jaxon, Grayson, and Josie.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard William “Bill” Stewart; grandson, Robert Stewart; mother, Velma Marie Lilly; son-in-law, Alan Stein, and daughter-in-law, Carolyn Stewart.