Lillian F. Heberer

Lillian Frieda (Wittlich) Heberer having attained the age of 101 years and nine days passed away on Monday, July 26, 2010 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL following a brief illness. She was born in Belleville on July 17, 1909 to Louis and Elizabeth (Hoffman) Wittlich and married Henry C. Heberer in Effingham, IL on Apr. 22, 1928. They lived on a farm near Freeburg, IL until Henry’s retirement in 1959 at which point they moved to Mascoutah, IL.


Lil was an accomplished artist, gardener and quilter. Active in community life, she was a Past Master and member of Turkey Hill Grange for 85 years, Past President of District V Garden Clubs of Illinois, a master flower show judge, Past President of the Mascoutah Garden Club, an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan, and member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Freeburg and later of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah where she remained a quilter and Ladies Guild member for many years. In 2009 the St. John Quilt show featured many of the quilts she made during her lifetime. Perhaps her greatest gift was that of being an outstanding mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Lillian will be remembered for her strength, determination, kindness, laughter, talents and most importantly her faith in God.


Preceding her in death were her husband, Henry C. Heberer who died on June 19, 1968; a daughter, Joan Elizabeth who died on Jan. 16, 1993; her parents; and her brothers, Henry, Louis, Irvin, Lester, and Roland Wittlich; and a sister Rosella Wittlich Blanc.


Left to celebrate her life is a son, Robert D. “Bob” Heberer and his wife, Janet; and a daughter, Mary K. (Heberer) Richter and her husband, Norman. There are seven grandchildren, Kathleen (Ed) Weilbacher, James (Mary) Heberer, Robert “Rob” Heberer II, Julie (Dennis) Heberer Graul, Michael (Jennifer) Richter, Sharon (Dr. James) Grimes, and Charles Richter; seven great grandchildren, John Weilbacher, Rose Weilbacher, Katherine and Rachel Richter, Maxwell, Madeline and Miles Grimes; two step great grandsons, Andrew and Timothy Matecki; two step great great grandsons, Chase and Jack Matecki; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Heberer, June Wittlich, and Milla Wittlich Engel; and many nieces and nephews.
The family is appreciative for everyone who enabled Lillian to live in her home until her recent illness, particularly Muriel Brockmeier who provided loving care and assistance during the past five years.


Memorials may be made to the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias, 410 E. Main St., Mascoutah, IL 62258; or to St. John United Church of Christ, 55 W. Church St., Mascoutah, IL 62258.


Visitation: Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday, July 28, 2010 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL, with a Grange service being held at 7 PM. Visitation will also be from 9 to 10 AM on Thursday, July 29, 2010 at St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah, IL.


Funeral: Funeral services will be held 10 AM Thursday, July 29, 2010 at St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah with The Rev. Hugh Fitz and Rev. Dr. Donald Wagner officiating. Burial will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights, IL.