Simone K. (Huett) Winter, 74, of Schapville, IL, passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at Ascension Village-St. Joseph, Freeport, IL, following an extensive illness.

Family and friends may call from 4 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the Miller & Steinke Funeral Home in Scales Mound and from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at the Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church in Schapville, where services will be held at 10:30 a.m.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Simone was born on November 3, 1948 in Freeport, IL, the daughter of Earl “Buck” and Alice (Earlenbaugh) Huett.  She was a graduate of Lena-Winslow High School in 1968.  On May 26, 1979, she was united in marriage to James “Slim” Winter at the Lena United Methodist Church.  He preceded her in death on April 9, 2009.

Simone and Slim formerly farmed in rural Schapville, and she also worked at Dura Automotive in Stockton, IL. She was a member of the High Point Cruisers Car Club, and the Schapville Zion Presbyterian Church.  Simone and Slim loved going for rides in their 1973 Dodge Charger.

Simone was a very strong, independent woman who loved her family dearly and never complained. She would care for her many farm cats, which were a main love in her life. Her second love was for Alan Jackson, spending time listening to music and attending many of his concerts. Simone loved to collect as many cookbooks as she could get her hands on, reading them cover to cover.

Surviving are her siblings, Melodie (Tony) Smith of Freeport, IL, Darrell (Zenna) Busch of Apple Canyon Lake, IL, and Sue of Freeport, IL, nephews and niece Ryan (Angela) Chapman of Oak Harbor, WA, Adam Chapman of Boulder, CO, TJ (Tina) Smith of Browntown, WI, Ben (Kim) Smith of Janesville, WI, Dayne (Erica) Busch of Spanish Fort, AL, Travis Busch of Anoka, MN, Andy (Brittany) Busch of Minot, ND, Katie (Trent) Shumway of Mohomet, IL; her in-laws, Donald “Tony” (Karen) Winter of Nora, and Laurie (Daryl) Pahnke of Stockton; nephews, Chad (Chris) Winter and Luke (Allison Kubat) Winter both of Lena, a niece, Rebecca (Neill) Cahill of Stockton; an aunt, cousins, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Simone was preceded in death by her parents, mother, Evelyn Huett, her husband, James “Slim” Winter, two brothers, David and Ron Busch, her father and mother-in-law, Glenn and Gloria (Stadel) Winter, and a great-nephew, Owen Cahill.

Simone requests that everyone dress casual for the visitation and funeral.

In lieu of flowers a Simone Winter memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.millerfhed.com©