Harry J. Rutter

Harry J. Rutter, 67, of St. Libory, IL, born Oct. 9, 1946 in St. Louis, MO, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013 at his residence.

Harry graduated from Quincy University in 1968 and retired from West Washington County Community Unit 10 in 2004. He was the music director at Johannisburg, Okawville, and Addieville schools for 25 years and at Albers since 2004. Besides his career in education he was director of Public Works for the Village of St. Libory; St. Libory Village trustee; and zoning administrator. Harry was a member of St. Liborius Catholic Church where he was the organist and choir director since 1960; member of the St. Libory Fire Department; Venedy concert band; New Athens Knights of Columbus Council 3789 for 43 years; Shriners Ainad Temple and Scottish Rite Bodies; Shriners Brass Band since 1999; was 2006 Shriner of the Year; member of the Illinois Music Educators Assn. for 44 years; and was a recipient of the Jubilee Distinguished Services Award in 2012 for outstanding service to the Catholic Church in Southern Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anthony L. “Tony” and Irene M., nee Behrmann, Rutter; and a brother, Norman Rutter.


Harry is survived by a brother, Donald (Shirley) Rutter of Belleville, IL; sister-in-law, Marie Rutter of St. Libory, IL; special friend, Nancy Weeke of Venedy, IL; nieces and nephews, Janet (Aldon) Hood, Pat Ross and Greg Hamaan, John (Angie) Rutter, Barb (Rico) Bertucci, Roslyn (Shawn) Corcoran, and Ken (Dia) Rutter; great nieces and nephews, Brandon Hood, Jessie (Shawn) Hill, Ryan Ross, Derek, Ryan, Tyler, and Anthony Rutter, Rico J., Tony, Rob, and Tori Bertucci, and Joel and Sarah Rutter; great-great nieces and nephew, Jillian Deck, and Austin and Audry Hill.


Memorials may be made to St. Liborius Parish; or Shriners Hospital for Children.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 PM Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013 and from 9 to 11 AM Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 at the St. Liborius Catholic Church in St. Libory, IL. A prayer service will be held prior to visitation at 4 PM at the church. The St. Libory Fire Department will walk through at 7 PM followed by the Shriners Brass Band members.

Funeral: A funeral Mass will be held 11 AM Friday, Oct. 18, 2013 at St. Liborius Catholic Church in St. Libory with Father Paul Nwanegbo officiating. Following the funeral Mass cremation will take place and a private family burial will be held in the St. Liborius Catholic Cemetery, St. Libory, IL at a later date.