Obituary of Holly Susan Bloomer

Holly Susan Bloomer, 75, of Carlinville passed away unexpectedly at her home on February 2, 2026. Holly was born in Aurora, Illinois to Robert Schoenfielder and Wilda Wade Schoenfielder. Holly, along with her sisters Lisa and Robin Schoenfielder, grew up in the Aurora area until 8th grade, when her family moved to Decatur, Illinois. She attended Decatur Public Schools and was named outstanding senior girl at Stephen Decatur High School. She was a talented alto in the high school chorus and sang with the select group the Modernaires. After high school, she attended DePauw University and received a degree in Art Education. She was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority where she met her future husband, Paul William Bloomer, a waiter in her sorority house. The couple were married on April 7,1972 in Decatur, IL. They moved to Berlin, Germany, where Paul was stationed with the U.S. Army Berlin Brigade, and Holly worked at the 279th Field Hospital. In 1974, they moved to Champaign, IL, where Holly worked in the University of Illinois Department of Life Sciences, supporting Paul while he attended the U of I College of Law. The couple moved to Carlinville, IL during a raging snowstorm in February 1977 where Paul joined the Law Firm of Denby, Dobbs, and Meno. Holly worked for Monterey Coal Company as a secretary and payroll clerk until 1980, when their first child, Jonathan Jacob was born. Holly then gave birth to twins, Patrick Robert and Katherine Elizabeth in 1981, and a son, Andrew Thomas in 1983. She raised her children in those years, and cared for Jeffrey Clayton Klaus, who the family lovingly refers to as the “fifth Bloomer child”. In December of 1988, Carlinville High School engaged Holly to fill the role of Art Teacher. Holly finally had the chance to apply her education and unparalleled talent to benefit generations of Carlinville students and the community. While at CHS, Holly designed and painted over 25 sets for the All-School Musical, took on the role of Yearbook Advisor, and started the school’s first Art Club. One of her favorite art club projects is the copper mural which is still displayed outside of the district office. Holly was the Faculty Prom Sponsor for most of her career, receiving national recognition, including #1 Prom in the Nation for her prom design and decor. Her proms were featured in Anderson’s Prom and Party Catalog. Arguably her greatest accomplishment at CHS was the refuge she created in her classroom. Mrs. B’s room was a safe haven for students, a place where everyone belonged, where talents, strengths, and eccentricities were accepted and celebrated. Holly was named Carlinville School District’s Teacher of the Year in 2016 and retired the same year. In retirement, she was honored by the enduring, heartfelt visits and messages from former students, proving her impact extended far beyond the classroom. In 2019, Holly received the gift of life-a kidney transplant through Mid America Transplant. While it slowed her down a bit, it certainly did not stop her from living her life to the fullest. Holly devoted her time to her grandchildren, who referred to her as “Gaga.” She made frequent trips to the St. Louis area for visits, programs, parties, and youth sporting events. She enjoyed traveling, shopping, wedding decoration, and assisting in community art projects. She recently began designing proms again for CHS, as her daughter, Kate, took the role of Co-Sponsor in 2023. Holly is survived by her husband, Paul; four children: Jake (Leah) Bloomer of St. Louis, MO, Pat (Kinsey) Bloomer of Webster Groves, MO, Kate (Pat) Wills of Carlinville, and Andy (Ashley) Bloomer of Chesterfield, MO; ten grandchildren: Claire Wills, Charlie Bloomer, Cora Costa, Max Wills, Edie Costa, Henry Bloomer, Norah Bloomer, Vivian Bloomer, Wilda Bloomer, and Jon Bloomer; two sisters: Lisa Schoenfielder of La Crosse, WI, and Robin (Terry) Doubek of Palatine, IL, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Donations can be made in Holly’s name to Mid-America Transplant https://www.midamericatransplant.org/get-involved/make-a-contribution/ or the American Cancer Society https://www.cancer.org/donate/memorial-giving.html. The family invites all who knew and loved Holly to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, February 7 from 3:00-6:00pm at the Elks Lodge in Carlinville, IL. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements.