Lucille Ann Rhein's Obituary
Lucille Ann Rhein, age 88, of China Township, died at the home she loved on November 17, 2025. She was born on June 1, 1937, at the family farm in St. Clair, Michigan, to the late Fred and Lucille Schweihofer.
For most of her early education, Lucille (Lu Ann) attended Big Hand School, a one-room schoolhouse within walking distance of her home. She later completed eighth grade at St. Mary’s Catholic School. Following her graduation from Holy Cross High School, she worked as a switchboard operator at Diamond Crystal Salt Company. On Thanksgiving Day on November 22, 1956, she married Edward Raymond Rhein at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Clair. They were married for 59 years until Edward’s passing in 2015.
Lu Ann was a lifelong member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. She was also a member of the Rosary Altar Society, Daughters of Isabella, St. Clair County Homemakers Extension Group, and the Low Vision Group at River District Hospital. Her Catholic faith, husband, and children were the foundation of her life. Her spirit of prayer was a powerful example to her children and grandchildren. Lu Ann found great joy in homemaking, baking, sewing, reading, keeping up with current events, and remembering family and friends with cards and notes. For forty years, she faithfully worked alongside her husband in operating Ed’s Radiator Service in China Township. Lu Ann was known for her quick sense of humor, sharp memory, her ability to tell detailed stories of local and family history, and her remarkable knack for stretching a dollar.
Her tremendous trust in God guided her through every challenge and joy of life. When she lost her sight later in life, she faced it with fortitude and her characteristic pluckiness—continuing to bake, care for her home, and pray for, by name daily, all of her children, their spouses, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
She is survived by seven sons and four daughters: Daniel (Wendy), Robert (Therese), John (Mary), Bernard (Puree), Michael (Janet), Martin (Alycia), Paul (Lindsay), Geralynn (Joseph) Sutherland, Marianne, Angela (Thomas) Craven, and Elizabeth (Vincent) Moro; daughter-in-law, Laurie Rhein; 62 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret West, Elaine Yielding, and Doris Rozborski; one brother, Fred (Pat) Schweihofer; sisters-in-law, Carol Rhein, Susan Rhein, Ellie Rhein, Rosemary Smith, and Caroline Biscarner; brother-in-law, Jim (Debbie) Rhein; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Lucille Schweihofer; husband, Edward; son, Anthony; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Angela and Lawrence Rhein; brothers-and sisters-in-law, Fred West, James Yielding, Stanley Rozborski, Alfred and Mary Rhein, Bernice and Leo Westrick, Larry Rhein, Don and Helga Rhein, Fred Rhein, Arthur Rhein, and Richard K. Smith; and grandson, Neal Wallington.
A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Monday, November 24, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, St. Clair. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Visitation hours are Saturday, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, 2:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Young Funeral Home, China Township. A Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s Church, the local St. Vincent de Paul Society, or Cardinal Mooney High School. To leave a message of comfort, please https://visitwww.youngfuneralservices.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Lucille?
What’s a lesson you learned from Lucille?
Share a story where Lucille's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Lucille you’ll never forget.
How did Lucille make you smile?
