Obituaries

Mar 31, 2015

Eleanore M. Koeller, nee Sandheinrich, 100, of St. Libory, IL, born Jan. 25, 1915 in Venedy Township, IL, died Tuesday, Mar. 31, 2015 at MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah, IL,

She was a homemaker; member of St. Liborius Catholic Church, St. Libory, IL; the Rosary Sodality; and the American Legion Auxiliary.

She was preceded in...

Mar 26, 2015

Dorothy Banjavcic, nee Stock, 93, of Fairview Heights, IL born Feb. 1, 1922 died Thursday, March 26, 2015 at Four Fountains Convalescent Center, Belleville, IL.

She was a homemaker.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Regina, nee Untied, Stock and her husband, Emil Nick Banjavcic who died Oct. 14, 2006.

Mar 24, 2015

John W. Mayes, 93, of Mascoutah, IL, born Jan. 1, 1922 in Diamond, WV, died Tuesday, Mar. 24, 2015 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL. John served in the U. S. Navy from 1941 to 1946 and in the U. S. Naval Reserves from 1946 to 1951 before joining the U. S. Air Force in 1951. He was on active...

Mar 23, 2015

Shirley J. Harding, nee Osborn, 86, of Lebanon, formerly of Mascoutah and Caseyville, IL, born Oct. 29, 1928 in E. St. Louis, IL, died Monday, March 23, 2015 at Lebanon Care Center, Lebanon, IL.

Shirley was a retired waitress.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Woodrow Osborn and Mildred, nee Kimme, Codling; her...

Mar 19, 2015

Gary W. Krul, 59, of Belleville, IL born Sept. 7, 1955 in East St. Louis, IL died Thursday, March 19, 2015 at his residence.

He was employed by Wal-Mart in Belleville and worked in the meat department.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Ruth F., nee Phillipson, Krul.

He...

Mar 16, 2015

James E. “Boat” Boatright, 76, of Mascoutah, IL, born Sept. 2, 1938 in Paducah, KY, died Monday, Mar. 16, 2015 at Kindred Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Boat worked for the railroad for 42 years with five different companies before retiring from Gateway Western Railroad.  He was a member and past music director of Faith Baptist Church...

Mar 7, 2015

Hilda C. Hummert, 88, of St. Libory, IL born on October 29, 1926 near St. Libory, died on March 7, 2015 at MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah, IL.  Our loss is heaven’s gain, as our incredible mother, grandmother and great-grandmother won her eternal reward.

Hilda was a kind and gentle soul who was a friend to all....

Feb 22, 2015

Rose Marie Zinck, nee Matthes, 85, of rural Addieville, IL, born Sept. 19, 1929 in St. Louis, MO, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Rose was a homemaker and in her early years was a licensed practical nurse. She was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Lively Grove, IL; Ladies Sodality;...

Feb 15, 2015

Joe O. Blackmer, 81, of Mascoutah, IL, born April 20, 1933 in Benton County, MO, died Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015 at his residence.

He was a retired tree trimmer and a U.S. Navy Korean War veteran.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hoyt O. and Beulah B., nee Herbert, Blackmer and a brother,...

Feb 9, 2015

Stephen R. Middendorff, 56, of O’Fallon, IL formerly of Mascoutah, IL, born Sept. 1, 1958 in Belleville, IL, passed away suddenly at his home on Monday, Feb. 9, 2015.

For those of us blessed to know and love Stephen we cannot express the deep sadness in our hearts because we know he was one of a kind...

Feb 1, 2015

Loretta M. Frederking, nee Albers, 94, of Okawville, IL, born Sept. 21, 1920 in Lively Grove Township, IL, passed away Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015 at Friendship Manor Health Care Center in Nashville, IL.

Loretta was a homemaker and also worked five years at the Friendship Manor Health Care Center in Nashville.  She was a member of St....

Jan 31, 2015

Elsie M. Press, nee Krausz, 90, of Belleville, IL, born Mar. 30, 1924 in St. Libory, IL, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Elsie was a homemaker and member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah, IL.  She was past president and member of the St. Clair County Homemakers Extension...

Jan 25, 2015

Edwin A. Lickenbrock, 90, of Mascoutah, IL, born March 17, 1924 in St. Libory, IL, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 at the MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah, IL.

Edwin started work for Mascoutah Equipment Co. in Mascoutah in 1949; he became a co-owner in the business in 1979 and retired in 1989.  He also farmed part time...

Jan 25, 2015

Donna R. Porter, nee Fry, 64, of Mascoutah, IL, born Dec. 30, 1950 in Jersey County, IL, died Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

She was retired from Anheuser-Busch where she was the executive secretary to August A. Busch III. After her career at Anheuser-Busch, Donna owned and operated a gift shop...

Jan 22, 2015

Dorothy Habrock, nee Herbst, 73, of Lively Grove, IL, born Aug. 1, 1941 in St. Louis, MO, died Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 at her residence.

Dorothy was a homemaker and formerly worked as a legal assist at TWA in St. Louis, and also an administrative assistant for LaBarge Pipe and Steel of St. Louis.  She was a...

Jan 20, 2015

Lela M. Koester, nee Dinges, 77, of Lebanon, IL formerly of Mascoutah, born Oct. 8, 1937 in Lenzburg, IL, died Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL.

Lela was a retired nurse’s aide from MarKa Nursing Home in Mascoutah and after retirement she provided in-home adult care.  She was a member of Zion...

Jan 18, 2015

Evelyn M. Hommel Bozada nee Knoth, 84, of Mascoutah, IL born March 4, 1930 in Belleville, IL, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2015 at Terrace on the Park, Mascoutah, IL.

She was a retired bookkeeper from Midwestern Butane Gas Company in Belleville, IL.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Francis J. “Gus” Hommel,...

Jan 11, 2015

Bernice I. Wilmsmeyer Dakin, nee Gramm, of Mascoutah, IL, born in Staunton, IL on Feb. 5, 1923, passed away Jan. 11, 2015 at Four Fountains Nursing Facility, Belleville, IL.

Bernice held various jobs during her life but her primary job was homemaker.  Playing bingo and going out to eat were some of Bernice’s favorite things to do. ...

Jan 5, 2015

Richard J. “Preacher” Thessing, 67, of St. Libory, IL, born May 22, 1947 in Belleville, IL, died Monday, Jan. 5, 2015 as the result of a work related accident.

He was a retired coal miner and a semi-retired truck driver.  He formerly served as mayor of St. Libory for 28 years; he was a U.S. Navy Vietnam...

Jan 1, 2015

Linda Kay Backs, 55, of New Baden, IL, formerly of New Memphis, IL, born Apr. 12, 1959 in Belleville, IL, died Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville, IL.

Linda was a preschool teacher and member of Zion Lutheran Church in Mascoutah, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Milton R....