Orville H. Seibert

Orville Henry Seibert, 89, of Belleville, Illinois died on the 18th day of August, 2008 at the Dammert Center of Our Lady of the Snows. He was born on March 26, 1919 in Shiloh Valley Township to Henry C. Seibert and Augusta “Gussie” B. Seibert. He attended the two room school in Rentchler Station, then Mascoutah High School, graduating in 1936. He then attended the Rubicam Business School in St. Louis, Missouri where he trained as an accountant. He worked for Hunter Packing Company in East St. Louis, and earned extra income by taking riders to work in his Model T Ford, and helped his parents on the family farm during the Depression.


He married Elsie L. Klotz of Shiloh Valley Township, Illinois on February 21, 1941, prior to his draft into the Army Air Corp in 1942. He served in the 8th Air Force in London during World War II as company clerk, and received an honorable discharge in 1943 with the rank of Staff Sergeant. After his discharge, he returned to manage the family farm until his health forced him to retire in 2003.


Mr. Seibert was a lifelong member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah, serving on the church council and various committees, and enjoyed membership in the Fireside Club. He was also a lifelong member of Shiloh Valley Grange, serving in various offices including Treasurer for 36 years. In fact, he was a member of the original committee that built the Grange Nursing Home, Mascoutah, Illinois, serving as the first administrator. Politically active, as well, he was one of the four founding members of the Mascoutah Rural Fire Protection District from its inception in 1952, serving as its first President and remaining a Trustee until 1998. He was a school board member for Mascoutah Unit School District #19 for more than 13 years, from 1976 through 1989. He also served as Trustee of Shiloh Valley Township for 32 years, retiring in 2000.


Orville’s life was defined by trust, strong will, and service to his family and his community. He took pride in the care of his Centennial Farmstead, settled in 1832, and was generous with his time and resources, donating to numerous charities.


He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry C. and Gussie B., nee Knobeloch, Seibert, his sister, Virginia (Franklin) Broeckling and his brother-in-law, Delmar (Mary) Klotz.


He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elsie L., nee Klotz, Seibert, and three sons, Howard O. (Dorothy) Seibert of Farmersville, Illinois, Paul H. (Kathleen) Seibert and Darryl J. (Helene) Seibert of Belleville, and six grandchildren: Trevor (Stephanie) Seibert of Millstadt, Illinois, Douglas Seibert of Springfield, Illinois, Lucas Seibert of Los Angeles, California, Dylan Seibert of Fairview Heights, Illinois, Meghan Seibert and Amy Seibert of Belleville, as well as two great-grandchildren, Todd and Lauren Seibert of Millstadt, Illinois. Also surviving are nieces Barbara (Lester) Surmeier and Kathy (Doug) Dyher and nephews Henry (Joan) Broeckling and Steven Klotz.


The family would like to extend special thanks to the Dammert Geriatric Center at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows for all their TLC.


In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Mr. Seibert can make memorial contributions to St. John UCC Mascoutah, the Grange Nursing Home, Mascoutah, or Hospice of Southern Illinois.


Visitation: Friends wishing to express condolences may do so on Thursday evening, the 21st of August from 4:00-8:00 pm at Moll Funeral Home, Mascoutah, IL, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 at St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah, IL. A Mascoutah Fire Department walk through will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home.


Funeral: A celebration of his life and legacy will be conducted by the Reverend Hugh Fitz, Friday, August 22nd, 11:00 am at St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah. Burial will be in Mascoutah City Cemetery.