Betty Ann Spillman, nee Calbreath, 80 of Dupo, died Dec. 11, 2010 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. She was born April 5, 1930 in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late William and Lola (nee Rutledge) Calbreath. Mrs. Spillman is survived by her daughter, Rebecca (Richard) Cherry of Dupo; grandchildren Tyann Cherry, Shane Spillman and Justin Spillman; great-grandchildren Bailey McAndrews and Lilly McAndrews; a brother, Edward Calbreath; sister-in-law, Theresa Calbreath; an d nieces Sereena Calbreath and Betty Jean Calbreath. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dan Spillman; her; cousins Jean Eplin and Jerry Eplin; and her aunt, Ruth Alyward. Betty was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia where she sung in the choir. She also was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupo. Betty retired from the State of Illinois Department of Corrections. Visitation is Monday, Dec. 13, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral is Tuesday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherer officiating. Mrs. Spillman will be buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society.
Lynne M. Sherman, nee Ewing, 61, of Red Bud, died Dec. 11, 2010 in Red Bud. She was born Feb. 13, 1949 in Valmeyer, the daughter of the late Jack and Norma (nee Moore) Ewing. Mrs. Sherman is survived by her sons, Paul (Tina) Sherman and Peter (Corey) Sherman; grandchildren, Paige, Logan and Daniel Sherman; sisters, Annie Ewing and Mary Grunhard; and brothers Glen (Margo) Ewing, Bill (Vicki) Ewing and David Ewing. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Sherman; a sister, Beth Bertram; and brother, Jack Ewing. A memorial mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Church in Madonnaville at a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Quernheim Funeral Home.
Virginia C. Crook, 83, of Columbia, died Dec. 13, 2010 at the Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born Dec. 27, 1926, in Fountain, the daughter of the late Richard and Louise (Kannewurf) Keim. She married Virgil Crook in 1946 in Columbia. He died in 1993. Mrs. Crook is survived by her children, Jean (Dennis) Allscheid of Waterloo, Joan (Darrell) Range of Columbia, Michael (Kelley) Crook of St. Louis and Susan (Keith) Freiburghaus of Columbia; 10 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; a sister, Marian (Roger) Hoffmann of Waterloo; brother, and a Roland Keim of Carbondale. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a great-grandchild, Madelynn Brooke Kilian; brother, Roger (Vivian) Keim; and a sister-in-law, Ruth Keim. Mrs. Crook volunteered at Jefferson Barracks Hospital. She was a member of the Columbia American Legion Post 581, St. Paul UCC of Columbia and the local chapter of the Red Hat Society. Visitation was Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral was at St. Paul UCC in Columbia with Rev. Kristofer Avise-Rouse officiating. Mrs. Crook was buried at the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to her church’s building fund, Hospice or The American Heart Association.
Herman Louis Pellmann, 91, of Millstadt, died Dec. 14, 2010 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. He was born July 28, 1919 in Belleville, the son of the late Gus and Lydia (Peters) Pellmann. Mr. Pellmann is survived by his wife of 61 years, Darlene “Dolly” Pellmann; daughters Sherry (Art) Wynn of Tilden and Kathy Pellmann of Millstadt; a son, Fire Chief Kurt (Mary Beth) Pellmann of Millstadt; and grandchildren, Alex and Alyssa Pellmann. He was preceded in death by a brother, Fred (Alma) Pellmann; and a sister, Christina (Skeets) Sullivan. Mr. Pellmann served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt. Herman was very active in his service to the Village of Millstadt, including serving for a time as an alderman and was a firefighter for the Millstadt Union Fire Department for 56 years – 15 of which as a captain. He was a concrete truck driver for Bean and Peterson in Belleville and then went to work for Charles Beil and. Co. in Millstadt where he retired. Visitation is Friday, Dec. 17, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral is Saturday, Dec. 18, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Mr. Pellmann will be buried at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made to his church, the Millstadt Union Fire Department or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Edna Staedtler, nee Golterman, 81, of Sunset Hills, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died Dec. 15, 2010 at Sunset Hills Health and Rehab Center. She was born May 23, 1929, in St. Louis, the daughter of the late Edward and Ruby Golterman. She was married to the late James W. Staedtler. Mrs. Staedtler is survived by her daughters, Linda Phillips of Columbia and Sandra Leeder of Alton; grandchildren, Erica (Jeff) Range and Christopher Phillips; and great-grandchildren, Ezra and Enzo Range. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandchild, Tamara Phillips; and a sister, Ruth Azerolo. Visitation is Monday, Dec. from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. A funeral will immediately follow with Pastor Steven Theiss officiating. Mrs. Staedtler will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of St. Louis or the Arthritis Foundation Eastern Missouri Chapter.
Lillie Agnes Kelling Hohmeier, nee Range, 92 of Waterloo, died Dec. 16, 2010 at Oak Hill. She was born Feb. 10, 1918 in Centreville, the daughter of the late Anthony and Lillian (Levin) Range. Mrs. Hohmeier is survived by her sons, Richard (Carol) Kelling of East Carondelet and Russell (Donna) Kelling of Waterloo; and brothers Anton Range and Alvin Range; along with 6 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Oscar Kelling; second husband, Albert Hohmeier; sisters Lorretta Pierce and Lavern Schlichter; brother, Arthur Range; and her aunt, Armentine Koch. Lillie was a member of the Woman’s Club at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupo. She was a quilter and belonged to the Red Hat Society. Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 19, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo. Funeral is Monday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. at her church with Father Paul Wienhoff officiating. Mrs. Hohmeier will be buried at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Columbia.
James J. Konarcik, 73, of Walsh, formerly of Waterloo, died Dec. 16, 2010 in Walsh. He was born Nov. 14, 1937, in Granite City, the son of the late Frank Paul and Muriel (nee Stanley) Konarcik. Mr. Konarcik is survived by his wife, Blanche (Singleton) Konarcik; children, Jamie (Pat) Themig, John Konarcik (fiancé Donna Floarke)and James “Art” (Amy) Konarcik; grandchildren, Joe Themig, Natalie Themig, Ashley (Mike) Beeler, James Themig, Amanda Konarcik, Austyn Konarcik and Anthony Konarcik; sisters, Elaine Mathias and Judy (Charles) Witthurm; and a cousin, Joan Papava; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Konarcik veteran of the United States Air Force. He owned Wartburg Inn in the 1970s through mid 1980s before moving to Walsh where he attended St. Pius V Catholic in Walsh. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus and the NRA. Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 19, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. at St. Pius V with Father Joseph Weber officiating. Mr. Konarcik will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis.
Wilbert A. Thien, 77, of Fults, died Dec. 17, 2010 in Waterloo. He was born Aug. 4, 1933 in Fults, the son of the late William and Bertha (Hempe) Thien. Mr. Thien is survived by his wife, Jane (Marquardt) Thien; children Sharon (Ricky) Muertz, Karen (David) Sensel, Maribeth (Alan) Eschmann, Cindy (Todd) Nabers, Bill (Michele) Thien and Amy (Gene) Hoffmann-Rohlfing; and grandchildren Michael Whelan, Melissa (Chad) Schmitz, Justin (Erin) Whelan, Laura Whelan (Jason Rheinecker), Julie (Ray) Henerfauth, Bethany (Blake) Wolff, Darin, Dawn and Emily Sensel, Stephanie (fiancé Christian Wright), Ashley and Alicia (fiancé Eric Schaefer) Eschmann, Erica, Aaron and Jared Nabers, Erick, Abbey, Evan and August Thien, and Derek and Claire Hoffmann; along with great -grandchildren, a brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by brothers William and Willis Thien; a sister, Bernice Kruse; son-in-law, Keith Hoffmann; and nephew, Dennis Kruse; along with brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. Mr. Thien was a veteran of the United States Army. Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 19, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home with Father Daniel Jurek officiating. Mr. Thien will be buried at St. John UCC Cemetery in Maeystown. Memorials may be made to the St. John UCC of Maeystown Cemetery.
Donald Dean Goedecke, 77, of Red Bud, died Dec. 16, 2010 at Red Bud Regional Hospital. He was born Feb. 24, 1933 in East St. Louis, the son of the late Charles William and Helen Marie (Schoenberg) Goedecke. Mr. Goedecke is survived by his children, Donald (Carla) Goedecke of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Steve (Kathleen) Goedecke of Highlands Ranch, Colo., Douglas (Diana) Goedecke of Raymore, Mo., Helen Goedecke of Red Bud and Barbara (Aaron) Patton of St. Louis, Mo.; grandchildren Donald Goedecke, Katie Brayton, Sarah Goedecke, Zachary Goedecke, Joseph Goedecke and Austin Patton; and a great-grandson, Isiah Brayton. He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis (Nowalk) Goedecke; brothers Raymond and Robert Goedecke; and sisters Marie Williams and Darlene Patterson. Mr. Goedecke was a veteran of the United States Air Force. Visitation and funeral were at DeFabio Funeral Home. Mr. Goedecke was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association.
Pearl Gruchala, nee Skiera, 95, of Columbia, died Dec. 22, 2010 at Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born July 19, 1915, in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late John and Mary (Sobkowiak) Skiera. She was married to Edward Gruchala. He died in 1991. Mrs. Gruchala is survived by a son, Dennis Gruchala of Columbia; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert Gruchala; sisters Martha (Oscar) Mecum, Mary (Joseph) Jablonski, Clara (August) Malawy, Helen (John) Gregorich, Sophie (Frank) Krystoff, and Charlotte D. Skiera; and brothers Walter, Henry and John Skiera. Mrs. Gruchala attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia and was a retired merchandiser at Famous Barr in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Tuesday, Dec. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. A funeral will immediately follow with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Mrs. Gruchala will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Lawlor Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to Masses.
