Official Obituary of
Rosemary Sawlaw
June 22, 1936 ~ May 16, 2026 (age 89) 89 Years Old
Rosemary Sawlaw Obituary
Rosemary Sawlaw, 89, of Monticello, passed away at 9:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16, 2026, at her residence after a battle with lymphoma and was cancer free when she passed.
Rosemary was born on June 22, 1936, in Vienna, IL, the daughter of Alice Brassell. She married Forrest L. Sawlaw on April 16, 1960, in Paris, IL.
Rosemary is survived by her husband, Forrest Sawlaw of Monticello; children, Forrest ‘Butch’ Sawlaw (Janet) of Vero Beach, Florida, Amiee Sawlaw of Monticello, Melissa Pontious (Mark Clark) of Monticello, David ‘Buck’ Sawlaw (Dayna) of Urbana, Emily Sawlaw of Monticello; 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren; brother Bobby Brassell of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Joyce Lloyd (Ed) of Springfield; and cousin, Susie Trovillion (Lowell) of Vienna, IL. She was preceded in death by her mother, sister and brother, son-in-law Bill Pontious, grandson Richard Pontious, and great grandsons Wade and Lincoln Sawlaw.
Rosemary worked as a legal secretary for the Department of Conservation, Administrative Assistant for the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department, and a cook for the Piatt County Jail. She was a member of the Monticello United Methodist Church, Monticello United Methodist Women, and tri m’s Sunday school class. Her faith was the foundation of life. Rosemary enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, cooking, baking, loved food, and attending Curves. She loved her dog Poppy, her cat Teddy and enjoyed giving them treats.
Rosemary received the Piatt County Sheriff’s Office Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for exemplary service since December 1, 1980. Rosemary loved working at the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Monticello United Methodist Church. Interment will be held in the Monticello Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
Saturday, May 23, 2026
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Monticello United Methodist Church
2020 E. Washington St.
Monticello,IL
61856
Funeral Service
Saturday, May 23, 2026
11:00 AM
Monticello United Methodist Church
2020 E. Washington St.
Monticello,IL
61856
Rosemary was born on June 22, 1936, in Vienna, IL, the daughter of Alice Brassell. She married Forrest L. Sawlaw on April 16, 1960, in Paris, IL.
Rosemary is survived by her husband, Forrest Sawlaw of Monticello; children, Forrest ‘Butch’ Sawlaw (Janet) of Vero Beach, Florida, Amiee Sawlaw of Monticello, Melissa Pontious (Mark Clark) of Monticello, David ‘Buck’ Sawlaw (Dayna) of Urbana, Emily Sawlaw of Monticello; 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren; brother Bobby Brassell of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Joyce Lloyd (Ed) of Springfield; and cousin, Susie Trovillion (Lowell) of Vienna, IL. She was preceded in death by her mother, sister and brother, son-in-law Bill Pontious, grandson Richard Pontious, and great grandsons Wade and Lincoln Sawlaw.
Rosemary worked as a legal secretary for the Department of Conservation, Administrative Assistant for the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department, and a cook for the Piatt County Jail. She was a member of the Monticello United Methodist Church, Monticello United Methodist Women, and tri m’s Sunday school class. Her faith was the foundation of life. Rosemary enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events, cooking, baking, loved food, and attending Curves. She loved her dog Poppy, her cat Teddy and enjoyed giving them treats.
Rosemary received the Piatt County Sheriff’s Office Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022 for exemplary service since December 1, 1980. Rosemary loved working at the Piatt County Sheriff’s Department.
Visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m., on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at the Monticello United Methodist Church. Interment will be held in the Monticello Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.mackey-wrightfuneralhome.com.
Visitation
Saturday, May 23, 2026
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Monticello United Methodist Church
2020 E. Washington St.
Monticello,IL
61856
Funeral Service
Saturday, May 23, 2026
11:00 AM
Monticello United Methodist Church
2020 E. Washington St.
Monticello,IL
61856
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Services
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