Robert O. Mehrtens, 76, of Smithton, formerly of Millstadt, died Dec. 2, 2013. He was born Jan. 6, 1937, the son of the late Otto and Helen (nee Brookshire) Mehrtens. Mr. Mehrtens is survived by his wife, Shelby (nee Sprehe) Mehrtens; a brother, Ray Mehrtens; sisters, Frances Mann and Beverly Steinquest; step-children, Bradley Michael and Tina Michael; and a sister-in-law, Maxine (Jim) Edwards; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Lou (nee Jurcick) Mehrtens. Mr. Mehrtens was a truck driver for Brinks Securities, Peabody Coal and for the Millstadt Township. He attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt. Robert volunteered with the Millstadt Union Fire Department (since 1969), where he had achieved the ranks of captain, city chief, assistant chief and fire chief. He was a member of the Millstadt Sportsman’s Club. Visitation was at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral was at Trinity Lutheran Church in Millstadt with Rev. Michael Kumm officiating. Mr. Mehrtens was buried at Mount Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made to the Millstadt Union Fire Department or to the Millstadt Sportsman’s Club.
Mary "Jane" Davis, 83, of Columbia, died Dec. 2, 2013 at Columbia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. She was born Nov. 10, 1930 in Springfield, the daughter of the late Jules and Genevieve (nee Rapinac) Guimard. She married William J. Davis, Jr., in 1949 at Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. He preceded her in death. Mrs. Davis is survived by her children, Deborah (Steve) Jones of Kokomo, Ind., and Gary (Agnes) Davis of Rogers, Ark.; grandchildren, Katherine and Gwendolyn Jones and William Davis; great- grandchild, Griffin Finkler; her aunt, Sally Lopian; brother-in-law, Chuck Davis; and godchildren, Troy Minnaert and Megan Conner; along with cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Henry Malensky; along with aunts and uncles. Mrs. Davis attended St Patrick’s Grade School and Feitshans High School in Springfield. Along with her husband, she lived in the Illinois cities of Springfield, Greenfield, Mazon, Atkinson, Sherman and Columbia (for 40 years). Jane worked at Carson Pirie Scott in Peoria. She enjoyed keeping up on the news of her extended family, collecting family photos, decorating her home, taking care of her yard and bargain shopping. Mrs. Davis was cremated. There were no services. Mrs. Davis was buried next to her husband Bill at Jefferson Barracks Military Cemetery in St. Louis.
George Leo “Dick” Toenjes Jr., 86, of Millstadt, died Dec. 3, 2013 at the Freeburg Care Center. He was born April 5, 1927 in Millstadt, the son of the late George and Alma (nee Eichelmann) Toenjes. Mr. Toenjes is survived by his sons, Michael “Birdseed” (Cathy) Toenjes of Millstadt, Ronald (Debby) Toenjes of Georgetown, Tex., and Norman “Shorty” (Kathy) Toenjes of Millstadt; daughter, Rita (Jeff) Helfrich of Millstadt; grandchildren, Allison Toenjes, Wade (fiancé Jenny McWilliams) Toenjes, Todd Toenjes, Ryan Toenjes, Tiffany (Brian) Markus, Lauren (J.V.) Fiss, Brett (Brittany Stahr) Toenjes, Emily Toenjes, Brad Helfrich, Jacob Toenjes and Max Helfrich; great-grandchildren, Bryce Andrew Markus, Charli May Fiss and Tessa Rene Toenjes; brothers, Floyd “Flip” (Eulene) Toenjes, and Glenn “Giss” (Joyce) Toenjes; brother-in-law, Sylvester “Tuffy” Mueth; sister-in-law, Almira Mueth; and godchildren, Kevin Mueth, Julie Toenjes, Danny Toenjes, Linda (nee Mueth) Cain and Nancy (nee Marlen) Alberter; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Luella Anna (nee Mueth) Toenjes, who died Aug. 25, 2013; in-laws, Joseph and Anna (nee Becker) Mueth; brothers, Robert (Delores) Toenjes, Wilbur “Whip” (Eileen) Toenjes and Donald “Knuckles” (LuAnn) Toenjes; a sister, Marlene Toenjes; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Arthur “Otts” and Alberta Mueth, Cletus “Dip” and Mildred Mueth, Henry “Hank” Mueth, Herbert and Marion Mueth, Emil and Ardella Mueth, Raymond and Mary Mueth and Ervin “Tootie” and Gloria Mueth; sisters, Aurelia “Really” (Richard) Alberter and Carson “Corky” Eversmeyer; a sister-in-law, Helen Mueth; grandson, Shane Andrew Toenjes; nephew and nieces, Dennis “Bing” Alberter, Betty Mueth, Rhonda “Muffy” Mueth-Messick and Betty (nee Mueth) Huddleston. Visitation was at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral was at St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt with Fr. Marvin Volk officiating. Mr. Toenjes was buried at Mount Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Millstadt Little League, St. James Athletic Association, Family Hospice or Belleville Parent Teacher Organization for Exceptional Children.
Judy Ann Amann, nee Decker, 50, of Red Bud, died Dec. 4, 2013 in Red Bud. She was born January 1, 1963 in Jacksonville, Ill, the daughter of the late Rollin Redmond and Esther Louise (nee Reynolds) Decker. Mrs. Amann is survived by her husband, Gregory J. Amann; children, Mike (Becky) Amann, Kari (Kevin) Luthy, Kelly Amann and Kristy Amann; grandchildren, Taylor Luthy, Landon Luthy and Kylee Amann; along with brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. Amann was a coal miner, volunteer firefighter – Carlinville and former Carlinville City Clerk. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Fritz officiating. Memorials may be sent to Siteman Cancer Center.
Glenda Lee Fricke, 74, of Columbia, died Dec. 5, 2013, at St. Anthony's Medical Center. She was born June 8, 1939, in Vincennes, Ind., the daughter of the late Eber and Mae (nee Bowden) Smith. Glenda married Rayburn Fricke in 1966 in Chicago. He died in 2010. Mrs. Fricke is survived by her daughter, Chris (Will) Trowbridge of Columbia; a son, Robert Fricke of Columbia; granddaughter, Grace Trowbridge; and siblings, William Smith of Arizona, Thelma (Jack) Vassallo of Michigan and Ralph White. Visitation is Saturday, Jan. 11, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at St. Paul UCC in Columbia. A funeral will follow with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Memorials may be made to Human Support Services or the DuBois Center.
Irene W. Akers, nee Windsor, 92, of Waterloo, died Dec. 5, 2013, in Waterloo. She was born Feb. 22, 1921, in Nineola, Mo., the daughter of the late Floyd and Mary (nee Tate) Windsor. Mrs. Akers is survived by her children, Edward (Susan) Gibbs and Ken Gibbs (special friend Connie Esker); and step-children, Linda (Louis) Pape, Janet (Darryl) Asselmeier, Diane (Bob) Lavender, John (Valerie) Akers and Pastor Mark (Joani) Akers; along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husbands, James K. Gibbs and Marvin Akers; a son, Raymond W. Gibbs; daughter, Virginia Gibbs; and daughter-in-law, Mary Anne (Schmitt) Gibbs. Mrs. Akers attended St. Paul UCC in Waterloo. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor Fred Wehrenberg officiating. Mrs. Akers was buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Oak Hill Walking Trail or Oasis International Ministry.
Valerie A. Akers, nee Jordan, 69, of O'Fallon, Mo., died Dec. 6, 2013, in Lake St. Louis. She was born Jan. 6, 1944, in St. Louis, the daughter of the late Alvin and Mary Evelyn (nee Baker) Jordan. Mrs. Akers is survived by her husband, John Akers; a daughter, Pamela (Wayne) Spillman; grandchildren, Paige and Mitchell Spillman; and a cousin, Ruth Hanna; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Mrs. Akers attended the Presbyterian Church in Dardenne Prairie, Mo. She loved quilting and was a member of Mothers' of Preschoolers, the Oasis School Tutoring and the Presbyterian Women’s Salmon Circle. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Akers officiating. Memorials may be made to Oasis International, Salvation Army, American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
Mary Ruth Alberter, nee Poetker, 91, of Millstadt, died Dec. 7, 2013, at Columbia Rehab and Nursing Center. She was born Jan. 18, 1922, in Belleville, the daughter of the late Walter and Minnie Schwab. Mrs. Alberter is survived by her son, Bruce (Debbie) Alberter of Swansea; grandchildren, Rachael (Tyler) Phillips and Sarah McCarty; and great-grandchildren, Ryleigh, Jayla and Corbin Phillips and Parker McCarty; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward “Buck” Alberter; and her step-brother, Walter Schwab Jr. Mrs. Alberter was a cashier at Osick’s Grocery Store. She attended St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt were she was involved in the sodality. Mary was a member of the Millstadt American Legion Post 502 Ladies Auxiliary and the Modern Woodsmen. Private services were held. Mrs. Alberter was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Glenn “Blackie” Grosse, 86, of Waterloo, died Dec. 9, 2013, in Waterloo. He was born June 7, 1927, in East St. Louis, the son of the late Louis and Lydia (nee Killy) Grosse Sr. Mr. Gross is survived by his daughter, Julie Grosse; and his partner, Nancy Grosse. He was preceded in death by a brother, Louis A. Grosse Jr. Mr. Grosse was the co-owner of Echoes of the Past Antiques in Waterloo. He graduated from the University of Illinois where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Glenn was very active in the community, serving on the Monroe County Board of Review and was a former bank director at Commercial State Bank of Waterloo. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor Dianna Kuhnert officiating. Mr. Grosse was buried at the Waterloo City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Morrison-Talbott Library.
Margaret M. Schaffer, 82, of Collinsville, formerly of Cahokia, died Dec. 9, 20013 at her residence. She was born Dec. 14, 1930, in Red Bud, the daughter of the late Hugh Joseph and Mattie Mary (nee Robart) McMullan. Mrs. Schaffer is survived by her husband, Edward D. Schaffer, whom she married in 1957; a son, Timothy (Angela) Schaffer of Cahokia; daughter, Barbara (Peter) Stehman of Collinsville; grandchildren, Jenny (Eric) Hayes, David (Elisha) Schaffer, Nicole and Robert Schaffer, Courtney, Christopher and Nathan Stehman; great-grandchildren, Audrey and Dominic Hayes, Devin Cason and Malia Schaffer; a brother, Dennis (Marie) McMullan of Waterloo; sisters, Patricia McMullan of Columbia and Lucy (Robert) Ahne of Carbondale; and a sister-in-law, Janet McMullan; along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Leon McMullan; and a granddaughter, Donna Schaffer. Mrs. Schaffer graduated from St. Teresa Academy in East St. Louis and attended Holy Family Catholic Church in Cahokia. She was a homemaker and a former employee for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville. Margaret was a member of the Columbia American Legion Post No. 581 Auxiliary and formerly served as its historian. Funeral was at Holy Family Catholic Church in Cahokia with Father Paul Wienhoff officiating. Upon Margaret's request, her body was donated to the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
