Emilie Ann Poletti, 13, of Troy, IL, fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, born, February 14, 2013, in Maryville, IL and passed peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Emilie was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, IL where she was an alter server, she was active in the Youth Group and Vacation Bible School. She was a student at St. John Neumann Catholic School in Maryville, IL where she was active in Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, basketball and volleyball. She was very proud of being a Young Author’s winner two years in a row. In addition, she enjoyed dancing at Heavenly Rhythm Dance Studio. Emilie was full of life and had a beautiful smile with a unique giggle, she was sweet, strong, sassy, tough and never hesitant to stand up for and protect the underdog. She loved all her animals and named each of the barn cats even the three cat trinity. She loved her mini–Golden Doodle puppy she received from Make-A-Wish Foundation which she named Cody. She truly loved her family and her friends with all her heart.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Mylon and Loretta (nee Betkis) Cowell.

Surviving is her parents, Tim and Carol (nee Cowell) Poletti; her brother, Brenden Poletti of Troy, IL; grandparents, Wayne and June (nee Wessel) Poletti of Alhambra, IL; great-grandmother, Norma Wessel of Highland, IL; Aunts and Uncles, Keith (Lisa) Cowell of Dixon, IL, Matt (Erica) Cowell of Morris, IL, Eric Cowell of Westville, IL, Lynette Evans of Tilton, IL, Doug (Megan) Cowell of Normal, IL, Kathryn (Brian) Untiedt of Taylor, MO, Luke (Ellen) Poletti of Westfield, IN and Michael Poletti of Maryville, IL; many cousins and friends.

The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Kellsie’s Hope Foundation, P.O. Box 331, Maryville, IL 62062, Friends of Kids With Cancer, 16 Sunnen Dr Suite 161, St. Louis, MO 63143, HIS Kids Inc, 908 Laurel St, Highland, IL 62249, or Leaps of Love, 1005 Broadway, Highland, IL 62249. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.Richesonfh.com

Visitation for Emilie will be 5 to 8 pm on Friday, May 29 at St. John Neumann Catholic School, Maryville, IL and 9 to 10 am on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, IL.

Funeral mass will be held at 10 am on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, Troy, IL with Fr. Kevin Laughery and Fr. Rob Johnson officiating. Interment will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery, Troy, IL. Following interment services family and friends are invited to St. John Neumann Catholic School, 142 Wilma Dr, Maryville, IL 62062 for a Celebration of Emilie’s Life Service starting at 1:30 to 5 pm.