Joseph “Jabby” Jablonski, 89, of Fairmont City, died Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at Columbia Convalescent Center where he had been a resident for 32 months. He was born Jan. 26, 1920 in Fairmont City, the son of the late Joseph F. Jablonski Sr. and Mary (nee Skiera) Jablonski. Mr. Jablonski is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline F. Jablonski, who resides at The Bridges in Columbia; daughters, Jeanne (Mike) Kish of Columbia and Nancy (Rick) Ballew of Granite City; sons, John Jablonski of Fairmont City and Tim (Sheri) Jablonski of Glen Carbon; grandchildren, Amy (Tim) Meyer, Andrea (Todd) Biske, Kristi (Mike) Stuart, Kara (Steve) Mathes, Ryan (Jayne) Ballew, Eric Jablonski, Chris (Alli) Jablonski, Nick Jablonski, Jeremy Jablonski and Brendan Jablonski; great-grandchildren, Mitch Meyer, Abbie Meyer, Elena Biske, Spencer Biske, Maria Biske and Shawn Stuart; sisters, Florence Ruder of Mehlville, Mo., Mildred (Ted) Dobkowski of Belleville; brothers, Hilary Jablonski of Glen Carbon and Jerome Jablonski of Hot Springs, Ark.; brothers-in-law, Steve (Mariann) Maliszewski, Frank (Gerry) Maliszewski and Bernard Maliszewski; sister-in-law, Dorothy (David) Gravoits; special aunt, Pearl Gruchala; a cousin, Dennis Gruchala; and roommate, John Deleveski; along with nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Henry Jablonski and Leonard Jablonski; sister, Regina Roberts; brothers-in-laws, Bob Roberts and Joe Ruder; and sister-in-law, Frances Maliszewski. Mr. Jablonski was committed to his church, family, community and country. Jabby served 37 months in active duty with the U.S. Air Force during World War II achieving the rank of sergeant. He was stationed in England with the 368th Fighter Squadron. As a radio technician station, he maintained radio communications on P-51s. Mr. Jablonski was employed as the city clerk for the Village of Fairmont City for 27 years, from 1970-1997. He also worked 25 years for American Zinc and 15 years for Pepsi. Jabby was a life member and past commander of the Fairmont City American Legion Post 961. Jabby was very dedicated to the Holy Rosary Parish. He sang in the choir, served on the bingo and picnic committees and was a member of the Holy Name Society. He also was on the Holy Rosary School’s board and the building committee. Visitation was at Kassly Mortuary in Fairview Heights. Funeral mass followed at the church with Father David Wilke officiating. Mr. Jablonski was buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to Holy Rosary Parish or the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund. The family would like to thank Columbia Convalescent Center for their constant care, the Eucharistic Ministers of Immaculate Conception Parish, Unity Hospice these last weeks, and Father Dave Wilke, Father Carl Scherrer and Father Steve Gira, C.R. for their pastoral care.
Virginia Bell Austin, nee Barker, 84, of Waterloo, died Oct. 25, 2009 at Oak Hill in Waterloo. She was born Aug. 16, 1925 in Poplar Bluff, the daughter of the late Al and Rosetta (nee Crunk) Barker. Mrs. Austin worked in mapping and planning in Washington D.C. while her husband was in the service. She retired as manager of Sears in East St. Louis. Virginia and her husband, Tom, moved from Poplar Bluff, Mo., to Dupo in 1962 and then bought a house in East Carondelet in 1966 where they resided. Mrs. Austin was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Thomas Austin. She is survived by her children, Larry (Georgia) Austin, Carol (Glenn) Bournstein, Philip (Sandy) Austin, Warren Austin and Paul Austin; grandchildren Teresa Donjon, Michelle Bournstein, Erica Bournstein, Damien Austin, Robert Austin and Natasha Stevenson; and great-grandchildren, Kayla Steingrubey, Sage Bournstein, Mya Bournstein, Emma Abrams, Jason Austin and Chauncey Austin, Milo Stevenson, Lena Bell Stevenson and Lola Bell Stevenson; along with other relatives and friends. Visitation and funeral were at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo with Rev. Matt Friz officiating. Mrs. Austin was buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Clifford B. "Kip" Dyroff, 87, of Bethalto, died Oct. 26, 2009 at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Aug. 5, 1919 in Dupo, the son of the late Adam and Alma (nee Schack) Dyroff. Besides his parents, Mr. Dyroff was preceded in death by his wife, Frances (nee Klotzer) Dyroff; and a granddaughter, Jamie Linn Rohe. He is survived by daughters Linda (Jim) Rohe, Susan (David) Rohe and Valerie (Dale) Zeisset; dear friend, Mary Pulcher; grandchildren, Teresa (Dave) Wilds, Keri (Ken) Rodenburg, Kimberlie (Ryan) Windle, Amanda (Mike) Wilfong and Krista Rohe; great-grandchildren, Emma, Kaelyn, Madeline, Josh, Jordyn, Noah, Natalie, Evan, Allison and Jacob; and brother-in-law, Frank (Jackie) Klotzer; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Mr. Dyroff served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a life member of the Dupo American Legion Post 485. He retired after 42 years of employment in the installation department of Union Electric and he enjoyed attending the U.E. Breakfast Club. He attended Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto. Visitation was at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral was at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia with Pastor Willard Meyer and Pastor Steven Theiss officiating. Mr. Dyroff was buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia.
Steven P. Limestall, 51, of Red Bud, died on Oct. 27, 2009, in Red Bud. He was born Oct. 20, 1958 in Red Bud, the son of Wallace and Betty Limestall. In addition to his parents, Mr. Limestall is survived by his wife, Brenda (nee Dougherty) Limestall; daughters, Erin Limestall and Courtney Limestall; sister,s Beverly (Bjorn) Lindgren and Susan Limestall; and a brother, Kevin (Ellen) Limestall; along with aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Bill and Maggie Dougherty. Mr. Limestall was a member St. Paul UCC in Waterloo and owner of Limestall Landscaping. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tipton with Father Jose Jacob, Pastor Matt Friz and Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. Mr. Limestall was buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul UCC of Waterloo Family Emergency Fund, Family Hospice or the Kolmer Memorial Cemetery Columbar-ium of Waterloo.
Eugene “Hoagy” Hohnbaum, 77, of Waterloo, died Oct. 30, 2009, at his residence. He was born Aug. 4, 1932, in Wartburg, the son of the late Arthur and Eleanora (nee Bode) Hohnbaum. Mr. Hohnbaum is survived by his wife, Lillian (nee Hesterberg) Hohnbaum; a daughter, Dr. Laurel (Kevin) Yeager; grandchildren Madison and Olivia Yeager; step-grandchildren Kyle and Kara Yeager; nephew, Larry (Cheryl) Hohnbaum; sisters-in-law Alberta Hohnbaum, Laverne Hesterberg and Doris (Willard) Meister; and a brother-in-law, Ray (Shirley) Hesterberg; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by brothers Laurence and Ray Hohnbaum. Mr. Hohnbaum was a veteran of the United States Navy. He owned Gene’s Barbershop in downtown Waterloo for 47 years before his retirement. He was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg, Waterloo VFW Post 6504, Waterloo American Legion and Waterloo Sister Cities Portaloo. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral service was at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wartburg with Pastor Stuart Rethwisch officiating. Mr. Hohnbaum was buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Holy Cross Memorial Fund.
Wyman W. Melching, 88, of Waterloo, died Oct. 30, 2009. He was born Jan. 17, 1921 in St. Joe, the son of the late Henry and Anna (nee Lange) Melching. Mr. Melching is survived by his children, Wayne (Karen) Melching, Stanley (Tyana) Melching and Glenn (Sharon) Melching; grandchildren, Raymond (Jennifer) Melching, John Melching, Troy (Kim) Melching, Michelle (Andy) Urke and Taylor Melching; great-grandchildren, Kaylee, Raelyn, Chloe, Jordan, Bryce, Hannah, Jonathan and Baylyn; and a sister, Ardell Huebner; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Melching and special friend, Lelia Garner. Mr. Melching was a member of Zion UCC of St. Joe, the Monroe County Farm Bureau and was a former singer with the Kaskaskia Trail Chorus. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral service was at Zion UCC of St. Joe with Pastor Nancy Spier officiating. Mr. Melching was buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to his church.
Ethel Mae Hoeffken, nee Bertschinger, 88, of Belleville, died Oct. 31, 2009, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. She was born Dec. 20, 1920, in Detroit, Mich., the daughter of the late Gustav and Maude Ethel (nee Taylor) Bertschinger. Mrs. Hoeffken is survived by her children Gary (Nancy) Hoeffken of Oklahoma City, Okla., Debbie (Robert) Foote of Breese, Wes (Yvette) Hoeffken of Columbia and Cindy (Mark) Murch of Pine Island, Minn.; grandchildren Jaclyn, Jessica, Robert and Richard Foote, Kristina, Alejandra and Stephanie Murch, and Catherine, Nicholas, Amanda and Ariel Hoeffken. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Vernon Garbs; her second husband of 50 years, Francis Hoeffken. He died in 1999. Mrs. Hoeffken was the president of the Queenship of Mary Sodality her church in 1964 and 1980. She was an advisor for the Order of Rainbow for Girls, a Girl Scout leader and a Cub Scout den mother. Mrs. Hoeffken was a longtime resident of Our Lady of the Snows Retirement Community and recently lived at Columbia Convalescent Center. She was a charter member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church in Belleville. Visitation was Friday, Nov. 6 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows Apartment Community Chapel in Belleville. A funeral followed with Msgr. Carl Scherrer and Deacon Gerry Bach officiating. Mrs. Hoeffken was buried at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville. Arrangements were handled by George Renner and Sons Funeral Home in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the Mater Dei Memorial Grant Fund or the Knights of Columbus Vocation Fund.
Clyde A. Raglin, 79, of Columbia, died July 15, 2005. He was born December 2, 1925, in White County, the son of the late Hayward and Frieda Raglin nee Pfister. He married Florence Kathryn Raglin nee York in 1947. He is survived by his wife; children Mark (Lisa) Raglin of St. Louis, Lynne (Terry) Davidson of Leola, Penn., and Roger (Teresa) Raglin of Columbia; seven grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elizabeth Russell, brothers Hayward “Bud” Raglin and Robert Raglin, and son Gary W. Raglin. He was retired from the Defense Mapping Agency in St. Louis as an electrical technician. Mr. Raglin served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and the Korean War. He was a member of the Columbia Lions Club, Columbia Blue Lodge #474 AF & AM, Columbia Gymnastic Association, American Legion Post #581 and the Columbia senior Citizens. Visitation and funeral services were at Lawlor Funeral Home, Pastor William Groennert officiating. He is buried at Kuykendall Cemetery in Carmi.
Dale E. Goodman, 45, of Valmeyer, died July 17, 2005, in St. Louis. He was born December 11, 1959, in Mammoth Springs, Ark., the son of Verona Goodman and the late Vester Goodman. He is survived by his mother; children Crystal Goodman of St. Louis and Emilie Goodman of Prairie du Rocher; sisters Wilma (Ronnie) Rednour of Valmeyer, Theresa (George) Rednour of Valmeyer, Karen (Bill) Dickerson of Valmeyer, and Sharon (Bret) Berghoefer of Waterloo; brothers Lester Goodman of Fults, Carl (Trish) Goodman of Sparta, and Pete (Lela) Goodman of Waterloo; dear companion Virginia “Jenny” Mesnarich of Waterloo; and aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great-niece; great-nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, brother Otis Goodman and sister Ester Goodman. Visitation and funeral services were at Quernheim Funeral Home, Pastor Jim Harget officiating. He is buried at Monroe City Cemetery.
Donna M. Libera nee Dallavis, 38, of Waterloo, died July 16, 2005, in St. Louis. She was born November 1, 1966, in St. Louis, the daughter of Clarence and Colleen Dallavis. She was married to Frank Libera. She is survived by her parents, husband, children Justin Dallavis, Sydney Libera, Frankie Libera and Olivia Libera; sisters Mary Ann Neary, Joan (John) Murray and Kathy (Mark) Roden; brothers Mike (Barb) Dallavis, Pat (Joan) Dallavis, and John (Janet) Dallavis; father- and mother-in-law Ralph and Alene Mergelkamp of Millstadt; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents. Mrs. Libera was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. She was past president of Mary & Martha Society and was a Girl Scout troop leader. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral mass was said by Msgr. Thomas Flach. She is buried at SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to Parkinson Association or Libera Children’s College Fund at Commercial State Bank, P.O. Box 100, Waterloo.
