Roman J. Wilhelm

Roman J. Wilhelm, 85, formerly of Mascoutah, IL, born Feb. 19, 1924, in Mascoutah, IL, passed away peacefully from this life on Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital with his family by his side.


Roman was a long-time auto and aircraft mechanic. He served in the Army Air Corps from February 1945 to December 1946. Following his military service, he worked at Klingel’s Ford Garage in Mascoutah for approximately 10 years, and then at Scott Air Force Base for 30 years. After retiring from Scott Air Force Base in 1985, he worked in various part-time jobs throughout Mascoutah. He was also an active member of his community, a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus, and Holy Childhood Church. Other than the few years he served in the armed forces, he resided in Mascoutah his entire life until 2003 when he and his wife moved to The Grand Court in Belleville, IL.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Anne, nee Voegele, Wilhelm; two sons in infancy, Kevin and Brian; his brothers, Meinard, Erwin, and Joseph J. Wilhelm; brother-in-law, Preston Blake; and sister-in-law, Eunice Wilhelm.


He is survived and will be dearly missed by his wife of 60 years, Marcella, nee Albers, Wilhelm, whom he married on Sept. 1, 1949, in Germantown, IL; one daughter, Diane (Ernest) Wilson of Scottsdale, AZ; and three sons, Bob (Janet) Wilhelm of San Antonio, TX, Allen Wilhelm of Petaluma, CA, and Dale Wilhelm of St. Charles, MO; five grandchildren, Ben (Amanda), Erin, Charlie (Ashley), Galen, and Ariana; and three great-grandchildren, Joey, Dylan, and Trinity.


Roman is also survived by brothers and sisters and their spouses, Martha and John Henrichs, Leo and Alice Wilhelm, Ralph and Ruth Wilhelm, Sister Janet Marie (Helen), Marcel Wilhelm, Rose and Bruce Markwardt, Ann and Phil Sherry, Herb and Darlene Wilhelm; sisters-in-law, Delores E. Wilhelm, Delores J. Wilhelm, and Darlene Wilhelm Schaperkoetter.


Roman loved to play cards with his family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.


Memorials may be made to Holy Childhood Memorial Improvement Fund or to any charity of the donor’s choice.


Visitation: friends may call from 4 to 8 PM Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009 at the Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, IL. A prayer service will be held at 5 PM Wednesday evening at the funeral home.


Funeral: a funeral mass will be held 10 AM Thursday, Oct. 22, 2009 at Holy Childhood Catholic Church with Msgr. Jerome Hartlein officiating. Burial will be in Holy Childhood Cemetery, Mascoutah, IL.