Susan Kay Monroe

Susan Kay Monroe, 73, passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2026 at her home in Neoga.

A private funeral service will be held for the family.  A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 28, 2026 at 5 pm at the Effingham Elks Club. All are welcome to come and help us celebrate her life.  Arrangements are in the care of Bauer Funeral Home in Effingham. 

Susan, affectionately known as “Pooch” by her family, was born in Effingham on October 27, 1953, to Lawrence J. “Larry” and Mildred (Hagen) Hoelscher. She married Lowell Monroe on September 29, 1972, and together they raised two children, Kerri (Daniel) Lacy and Travis (Tiffany) Monroe. Susan was also a proud grandmother to four grandchildren: Nate Lacy, Keaton Lacy, Teagan Monroe, and Taylor Monroe.

Susan worked at Kern's Mfg. In Neoga and Lender's Bagels in Mattoon. She worked there many years and established multiple friendships. After retirement she decided she wanted to work again. Susan started cleaning part time at the Neoga American Legion. She made several new friends there and enjoyed having coffee with them on Saturday mornings. Susan also started work at the Neoga School district as a bus aide. The kids on her bus brought her so much joy. She enjoyed her conversations with the bus drivers and loved her coworkers and boss at the school district.

Susan loved spending time with her grandchildren. Some of their favorite memories include Christmas at her house, baking Christmas cookies, decorating for the holidays, shopping, teaching them to read from Dick and Jane books, her tight hugs and snuggling in her bed. She was willing to drop everything to watch them when they were little. Even if she was sick herself or had a worked a night shift the day before. Although she did not have a pet of her own, she was always willing to house sit and take care of her family members cats and dogs.

Susan was her son's biggest fan. She came to all of his baseball and softball games. She would sit in the outfield in her car and honk every time he hit a home run. She enjoyed jeep rides with her daughter and her sister, Sara. They went on several jeep runs together and had lots of laughs. She enjoyed swimming in her daughter's pool and going on boat rides with her family. She loved family gatherings, shopping trips with her sisters, eating at Olive Garden and Burger King in Mattoon. She loved popcorn and an occasional ice cold beer. She loved true crime TV shows and documentaries, the Young and the Restless, and comedy sitcoms.

She had one speed according to her family and it was 100 mph. She was hardworking, kind, brave, strong, independent, loving, determined, easy-going and funny. Susan was able to laugh with others while laughing at herself.

In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by her siblings, Shirley (Bill) Ballinger, Stan (Pam) Hoelscher, and Sara Stepp; sister-in-law, Teri Hoelscher; many nieces and nephews; and special family friend, Eileen Doedtman.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sharon (Mark) Hampton and brother, Steve Hoelscher.

Susan will be dearly missed and loved by so many.