Madelon Genin

Madelon A. Genin, nee Garvey, of Belleville, Illinois, passed away on September 19, 2026. She died peacefully at home just shy of her 97th birthday.

Madelon was born on October 5th, 1929, to Bridget and Christopher Garvey in Crawford County, Wisconsin, where she spent her childhood on a farm. After High school in Wauzeka, she was employed as a receptionist and stenographer at Commonwealth Telephone company in Madison, Wisconsin.

She met and married the love of her life, Kenneth Genin in 1952. This began an exciting Air Force life, with many assignments, including Japan and Australia. Madelon was active in the St. Clair County Republican Party and was a Precinct Committeeman for several terms. She served as a Deputy Central Committeeman for Congressional District 12. She was Vice President of St. Clair County Republican Women. She also served as President of the Thursday Literary Club and served as Corresponding Secretary for the PEO in Belleville, Illinois.

She loved playing bridge, Bible Study, shopping and traveling. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining. Her family was most important to her, with her prioritization of family time and creating happy memories. Her inspiration and praise led to many of her seven children achieving higher-level degrees in their educational pursuits. She was the rock of our family. There is a hole in our hearts, and she will be dearly missed. She was preceded in death in 1992 by her husband of 40 years, Lt. Col. Kenneth C. Genin, USAF retired.

Surviving are seven children: Laura (Michael) Baltz, Theresa Genin, Kenneth (Susan) Genin, Michael (Tami) Genin, David (Christy) Genin, Karen (Mark) Mueller, and Kathi Genin; fourteen grandchildren: David Schneider, Stephen (Bethann) Schneider, Melanie (Keith) Warfield, Jeremy Genin, Amanda Votrian, Jesse Genin, Michael (Lauren) Genin, Sarah (Jordan) Leaf, Lauren (Jacob) Haynes, Matthew Genin, Zachary Genin, Nick Genin, Kyle Schenewerk and Ryan (Elle) Schenewerk. She was also survived by 14 great grandchildren.

Our family would like to thank VITAS Healthcare for all their compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to Christ Church (339 Frank Scott Parkway East Fairview Heights, IL 62208) or Hillsdale College (33 E. College St. Hillsdale, MI, 49242).

Visitation: Friday, September 25, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church in Fairview Heights, IL.

Funeral: Friday, September 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Christ Church in Fairview Heights, IL with Pastor Ashley Cooper officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.