Virgil L. Gregson, 79, of Hecker died July 2, 2011 in Red Bud. He was born Sept. 6, 1931 in Hecker, the son of the late Lester and Olivia (nee Wittenauer) Gregson. Mr. Gregson is survived by his wife, Bernadette (nee Scherle) Gregson; children Donna (Richard) Schilling, Joe (Janet) Gregson, JoAnn (Brian) Baker, Patty (Ray) Brewer, David (Lois) Gregson, Nancy (Rich) Dunivan and Maria (Eric) Wuebbels; grandchildren Renee (Nick) Krebel, Melissa Shields, Austin Gregson, Jonathan "J.D." Gregson, Avery Wuebbels, Max Dunivan, Wendi (Jerrod) Brownson and Warren Baker; and great-grandchildren Sophia Krebel and Thaddeus Brownson; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Gregson. Mr. Gregson served three years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He owned and operated Nu Deal Oil Co. in Hecker for many years, honorable retiree of the Hecker Volunteer Fire Department and served for six terms as the mayor of the village he proudly called home his entire life. Mr. Gregson attended St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker and was a chairman of the Gibault Catholic High School Boosters. He was a member of the FSH Water Commission, Knights of Columbus, Hecker Commercial Club, served on the St. Clement Hospital of Red Bud Building Committee, Human Support Service Board, Kaskaskia Port Authority, St. Augustine Holy Name Society, Monroe County Building Commission and the Hecker Sportsman Club. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Hecker with Father Von Deeke officiating. Mr. Gregson will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to masses or to Gibault Catholic High School
Carla Marie Liedtky, nee Miriani, 49, of Red Bud, died July 4, 2011 in Red Bud. She was born May 3, 1962 in Kirkwood, Mo., the daughter of Richard and Pat Miriani. In addition to his parents, Mrs. Liedtky is survived by her husband, Frank Liedtky; a son, Steven Liedtky; brothers Kevin (Linda) Miriani and Tim (Molly) Miriani; nieces and nephews Michael (Lauren) Miriani, Tony Miriani, Angela Miriani, Dominic Miriani, Abby Miriani and Matthew Miriani; and a great-nephew, Joseph Miriani. Memorials may be made to the St. Louis University Hospital Cancer Center.
Jacquelene G. Thrower, nee Boyer, 83, of Waterloo, died July 5, 2011 in Red Bud. She was born Sept. 9, 1927 in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Jule Sr. and Opal (nee Keller) Boyer. Mrs. Thrower is survived by her children, Barbara Livingstone and Richard (Debbie) Diggs; sisters, Maxine (Frank) Zucha and Murliene (James) Causey; brothers, Roger (Mary) Boyer and Jule (Karolyn) Boyer Jr.; 5 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Thrower; along with a sister and a brother. Mrs. Thrower was a member Victory Fellowship Church. Visitation is Thursday July 7, at 9 a.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, July 8 at 11:30 a.m., at the funeral home with Pastor Don Harmon officiating. Mrs. Thrower will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.
Bernice Otten, 81, of Red Bud, died July 6, 2011 at Red Bud Nursing Home. She was born July 30, 1929 in Red Bud, the daughter of the late Joseph and Annetta (nee Parrott) Maurer. She married Roy Otten in 1949 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Otten is survived by her sister, Sister Eleanora Marie Maurer of Springfield; along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Joe, Paul, Arthur and Norbert; and a sister, Lucille. Mrs. Otten had worked at International Shoe Factory in Evansville and the Singer Factory in Red Bud. She was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Red Bud and St. Ann’s Altar Sodality. Visitation is Thursday, July 7, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home, Red Bud. Funeral mass is Friday, July 8, at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Red Bud, with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating. Burial is at St. John Catholic Cemetery in Red Bud. Memorials to St. John the Baptist Catholic School or the American Heart Association.
Willard W. Probst, 91, of Waterloo, died July 7, 2011 in Red Bud. He was born Oct. 28, 1919 in New Athens, the son of the late William and Bertha (nee Koerber) Probst. Mr. Probst is survived by his daughter, Diane (James) Cowden; grandchildren, William (Jennifer) Cowden and Birton (Emily) Cowden; and great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Oliver; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Probst was preceded in death by his wife, Myrtle (nee Thompson) Probst; grandson Benjamin Cowden; brothers Hugo, Robert and Herbert Probst. Mr. Probst earned the Bronze Star while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended Frieden's United Church of Christ in Hecker and was a member of the Red Bud VFW and Monroe County Farm Bureau. Willard was a past director of the Hecker Volunteer Fire Department and a former member of the Hecker Community Center. Visitation is Tuesday, July 12, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Wednesday, July 13, at 10 a.m., at Frieden's UCCC with Pastor Ivan Horn officiating. Mr. Probst will be buried at the Hecker City Cemetery. Memorials made be made to his church.
Serrelda Kaye Smothers nee Myers, 64, of Waterloo, died Sept. 1, 2008, in St. Louis. She was born Feb. 23, 1944, in Clinton, Ky., the daughter of the late Clifton and Mary Myers nee Rabey. She was married to James R. Smothers. Mrs. Smothers is survived by her husband; children James C. "Smudge" (Lori) Smothers of Waterloo and Sandra (Jeffrey) Vander Heyden of St. Louis; grandchildren Lucas Smothers, Derek Smothers and Meranda Vander Heyden; sister Pat (Lee) Eberhart of Caseyville; and brothers Robert (Lois) Myers of Gravois Mills, Mo., and Wray (Carol) Moore of Corinth, Miss.; along with sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister Margaret Gregory. Visitation and a funeral service were at Quernheim Funeral Home, Pastor Steve Neil officiating. She is buried at Waterloo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Blaine Cosbey, 82, of Columbia, formerly of Belleville, died Sept. 2, 2008, in Columbia. He was born May 19, 1926, in Belleville, the son of the late Frank and Helen (nee Lyons) Cosbey. He was preceded in death by fathers-in-law, Charles Graf and Arthur Sauer. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Marie (nee Graf) Cosbey; mother-in-law, Margaret Sauer of Columbia; special friends, Maurice and Gloria Vale and Tom Vale, all of Freeburg; and his faithful pet, Gretchen. Mr. Cosbey graduated in 1944 from Belleville Township High School and attended the University of Missouri - Columbia. He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II. He was the retired vice-president and general manager of Modern Foundry and Manufacturing Company in Mascoutah. He was a Master Councilor of the Order of DeMolay and received their Chevalier's Award. He was also a member of Belleville Masonic Lodge 24; the Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois and the Ainad Shriners. He served as a board member and treasurer of both Belle-Clair Fairgrounds and the St. Clair County Fair Association. He was a past member of the First Presbyterian Church of Belleville, where he served as both a deacon and a trustee. Private services were held at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home in Belleville. He was buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory Mausoleum in Belleville.
Gustavia Eckert nee Hauptfleisch, 81, of Waterloo, died Sept. 2, 2008, in St. Louis, Mo. She was born July 23, 1927, in Columbia, the daughter of the late Gustav and Olga Hauptfleisch nee Wilde and stepfather the late Ervin Eichelmann. She was married to Earl Eckert. Mrs. Eckert is survived by her husband, children Marlou Eckert (Mark Raeber) of Millstadt, Glen (Nancy) Eckert of Waterloo and Diane (Kenny) Kern of Waterloo; grandchildren Angie (Bill) Wirth, Casey (Jean) Eckert, and Kendra Kern; and great-granddaughter Nora Wirth; along with a sister-in-law, brother-in-law, a niece, nephew and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, mother and stepfather. Mrs. Eckert was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ of Waterloo and the Monroe County Home Extension. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral service was at St. Paul UCC of Waterloo, Pastor Doug Robert officiating. She is buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church's elevator fund.
Angel Millikan nee Kohlen-berger, 47, of Eureka, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died Sept. 3, 2008. She was born Oct. 10, 1960, in Belleville, the daughter of Ernest (Lore) Kohlenberger of Festus, Mo., and the late Mary Ann Smith nee Mardirosian. Ms. Millikan is survived by her daughters Natalie Evans and Christine Evans of Eureka, Mo., and siblings Mike (Angie) Kohlenberger of Crossville, Tenn., Marty (Sherry) Kohlenberger of Valmeyer, Kelly (Joe) Dobronski of Columbia, Linda Smith of St. Louis, David (Debbie) Kohlenberger of Festus, Mo., and Ernie Kohlenberger of Austin, Tex.; along with other relatives and friends. Ms. Millikan was a dispatcher with Roadway Trucking Co. in Fenton, Mo. Visitation and funeral services were at Lawlor Funeral Home, Rev. Ron Beaver officiating. She was cremated following the services.
Wilma Vickers nee Lunsford, 84, of Dupo, died Sept. 3, 2008, in Dupo. She was born Aug. 19, 1924, in Washington County, Mo., the daughter of the late William and Louis Lunsford. She was married to William Vickers Sr. for 59 years. Mrs. Vickers is survived by her husband; daughter Nancy (Raymond) Posey of Dupo; grandchildren Heather (Neal) Gipson of Post Falls, Idaho, Holly (Craig) Mueller of Imperial, Mo., Joshua Vickers of Kansas City, Mo., Benjamin Vickers of Kansas City, Mo., and Kendra Vickers; great-grandchildren David Otten of Waterloo, Grace, Hannah and Katie Gipson of Post Falls, Idaho, Emily and Jacob Mueller of Imperial, Mo., and Brianna Vickers of Kansas City, Mo. She was preceded in death by her parents, sons Robert Vickers and William "Bill" Vickers Jr.; and great-granddaughter Lindsey Otten. She was a homemaker. Visitation and funeral were at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo, Rev. Matt Friz officiating. She was buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville.
