Eugene H. "Gene" Bergkoetter

Eugene Henry “Gene” Bergkoetter, 73, of South Roxana, IL, born Sept. 2, 1943 in Johannesburg Township, IL, died Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016 at Washington County Extended Care in Nashville, IL.

Gene worked at the former Excelsior Foundry in Belleville for many years.  He was a member of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Granite City; and the Wood River Loyal Order of the Moose.  He enjoyed fishing, playing cards, playing the slots, and anything to do with farming.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Catherine, nee Stein, Bergkoetter, Jr.; two brothers, Henry and Gilbert Bergkoetter; and a sister, Mary Ann Tainter.

Gene is survived by his wife, Willene “Willie”, nee Lupa, Bergkoetter whom he married at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Granite City on Nov. 15, 1986; a son, Justin (Katherine) Hamilton of Oakville, MO; a granddaughter, Hattie Hamilton; a sister, Germaine Braneky of Belleville, IL; a brother, Clarence “Butch” Bergkoetter of Belleville, IL; brother-in-law, Anson Tainter of Holcomb, WI; nieces and nephews, Jason, Nancy, Donna, Pam, Marquis, Stephen, and Travis.

Memorials may be made to the St. Liborius Catholic Cemetery; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38101-9908; or American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL  60674.  Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM Thursday, Oct. 27, 2016, and from 9 to 10 AM Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at St. Liborius Catholic Church in St. Libory, IL.  A prayer service will be held 4 PM Thursday at the church.

Funeral: A funeral Mass will be held 10 AM Friday, Oct. 28, 2016 at St. Liborius Catholic Church with Father Dennis Voss officiating. Cremation will follow.