Sara Frances (Steckler) Uhlhorn-Caddell, 81, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away Saturday, July 10, 2021 at Oakview Nursing and Rehab. She was born on February 8, 1940, in Gibson County, Indiana, the daughter of Charles Peter Steckler and Mary Ellen (Frey) Steckler. She married Robert A. Uhlhorn on August 26, 1961, and after his passing she married Lindel L. Caddell, Sr. on September 7, 1996, and he survives.
Sara was a 1958 graduate of Mount Carmel High School and a 1961 graduate of Saint Mary’s School of Nursing in Evansville, IN. She began her nursing career at Welborn Clinic in Evansville, working alongside several surgeons at all three Evansville hospitals. Over the years, her husband’s job moved them to several cities throughout the United States. The first move was to Indianapolis, IN, where Sara used her high school cheerleading experience to begin a twenty-year coaching career. She mentored many successful cheerleading squads, even winning an international competition at Boblo Island in Canada. Sara resumed her nursing career at John J. Kane Hospital, the second largest hospital in the country, when the family moved to Pittsburgh, PA. There she was nursing supervisor of a forty-bed unit for the “death and dying patients”. Upon relocating to Plano TX, Sara took a nursing position in a private school for seven years. After the sudden death of her first husband, she decided to return to her hometown roots of Mount Carmel, in May of 1996.
In 1980, Sara joined the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution where she was a life member and remained very active in the Mount Carmel Chapter. Locally she served as Chaplain, Recording Secretary and five years as Chapter Regent. At the request of the State Regent, Sara served two years as District VI Director, and five two-year terms as State Chairman of various committees. She greatly enjoyed planning and taking trips with her DAR sisters. Sara became passionate about researching family genealogical history and was proud to discover, and document, eighteen Revolutionary Patriots on her maternal side of the family. Having such an admirable family lineage of soldiers documented, allowed Sara to join an extensive list of national societies for descendants of the American Revolution. For several of these societies, she served as president, historian, chairman of committees and became a life member of many. Locally, Sara enjoyed being a member of the Reviewer’s Matinee, the Daughters of Isabella, Wabash General Hospital Auxiliary, and the Chapter FK PEO. Sara is a life-long devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where she served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. She greatly enjoyed her part-time job working at Keepes Funeral Home and was a vital part of their team. Sara loved her family and her grandchildren held a very special place in her heart. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.
Sara leaves behind her loving husband of twenty-four years, Lin; son, Charles Robert “Chad” Uhlhorn and wife Holly of Pittsburgh, PA; daughter, Nancy Ellen Spencer and husband, Clark of Bel Air Maryland; bonus children, Lary Caddell and wife Carolyn, Marie Caddell, Ashley Gray and husband Cory, all of Mount Carmel, IL, and Eudina Kae of Olney, IL; granddaughters, Clare Ellen Spencer, Paige Owen Spencer; twelve bonus grandchildren; brothers, Charles “Tom” Steckler and wife Katherine, Richard Steckler and wife Susan; one sister, Nancy Duncan and husband Norm; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Sara was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Robert Uhlhorn; nephews, Charles Thomas Steckler, Jr., Thomas Edward Bright; great-niece, Abigail Steckler.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. A Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m., Friday, July 16, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Fr. Robert Zwilling officiating. Burial will follow at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Sara’s memory to St. Mary’s Catholic
School. Envelopes will be at the Church or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Sara’s tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Caddell family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
