George W. Glaenzer, 81, of Waterloo, died August 6, 2005, in Red Bud. He was born October 3, 1923, in Columbia, the son of the late John and Sophia Glaenzer nee Diehl. He was married to Nelda M. Glaenzer nee Niclas. He is survived by his wife; children Gary (Debra) Glaenzer of Jacksonville, David Glaenzer of Mechanicsville, Va., and Linda (George) Jager of Cedar Hill, Mo.; grandchildren John, Michael, Andrew, Matthew, Zachary and Melanie; great-grandchildren Gianni and Brianna; and sister Edna Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation and funeral services were at Quernheim Funeral Home, Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. He is buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia.
Edgar A. Kaestner, 76, of Waterloo, formerly of Valmeyer, died August 11, 2005, in Waterloo. He was born June 26, 1929, in Fults, the son of the late Eilert H. and Wilhelmina A. Kaestner nee Seboldt. He married to Marlene Kaestner nee Josten in 1951. He is survived by his wife; children Michael (Susan) Kaestner of Waterloo, Linda (Michael) Mueller of Waterloo, and Trudi (Kevin) Vogt of Waterloo; grandchildren Aaron, Matthew (Loren), Ryan, Amanda, Tim and Nathan; sisters-in-law Mabel Kaestner of Waterloo and Alice Kaestner of Sterling, Colo.; and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Arthur Kaestner, Elmer Kaestner and Rev. Harold Kaestner, and sister Anna Steimley. Mr. Kaestner was baptized in 1929 and confirmed in 1943 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Renault. He was a little league coach and manager for 10 years. He served two terms on the Hoyleton Children’s Home board. He was a member of American Legion Post #901 in Valmeyer and was past commander. He was also a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, where he was a past choir member, past choir director and past president. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral services were at St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, Pastor David Riebeling officiating. He is buried at St. John Cemetery in Valmeyer. Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ in Valmeyer, Monroe County Care and Rehabilitation Center in Waterloo, or American Legion Post #901 in Valmeyer.
Oscar J. Schmidt, 90, of Prairie du Rocher, died August 12, 2005, in Red Bud. He was born May 19, 1915, in Renault, the son of the late Henry and Elsie Schmidt nee Menke. He married the late Emma Mae DuFrenne in 1938; she preceded him in death in 2003. He is survived by his son Eugene J. Schmidt of Evansville and Robert (Kathy) Schmidt of Evansville; grandchildren Bobbie Lee Reyes of Tampa, Fla., Dr. Amy (Bryan) Rohlfing of Red Bud, Darren (Alicia) Schmidt of Marissa, Michelle Schmidt of Collinsville, and Michael Schmidt of Collinsville; great-grandson Theodore Rohlfing of Red Bud; sister Irene (Percy) Scherle of Evansville; in-laws Melba and Vernon Nicholson of Ames, Iva and Ralph Gash of St. Louis, Wand Lee Gash of Jefferson City, Mo., Judy and John Cunningham of Kansas, and Jan DuFrenne of Gerald, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife and brother Leo Schmidt. Mr. Schmidt was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ruma. He was a retired farmer and had worked for Singer Corporation in Red Bud for 10 years. Visitation was at Welge-Pelacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. A funeral mass was at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ruma, Fr. Richard Weidert officiating. He is buried at St. Patrick Catholic Cemetery in Ruma. Memorials may be made to St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ruma or R&R Country care Senior Living in Ruma.
Joann M. Loerch nee Konecny-Podnar, 74, of Waterloo, died August 16, 2005, in Waterloo. She was born May 14, 1931, the daughter of the late Anne Konecny-Podnar. She was married to the late Leonard M. Loerch. She is survived by her children Leonard (Gina) Loerch of Waterloo, Loren Loerch of Waterloo, and Ann-Christine (Steve) Proctor of Freeburg; grandchildren Neil Loerch, Devon Loerch, Audrey Proctor and Elizabeth Proctor; special companion of 25 years Ralph Zinck of Belleville; half sister Barbara Konecny; half brother Richard Podnar; and sisters-in-law, an uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother and husband. Mr. Loerch was a member of SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. She was a member of the Martha and Mary Society, APWU, Red Hat Society, Waterloo Zoning Board of Appeals, Renault American Legion Auxiliary, Gibault Mother’s Club, Coast to Coast RV Club, and Treasure Lake Resort. Visitation was a Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral mass was said by Msgr. Thomas Flach. She is buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to SS. Peter and Paul Church in Waterloo, Gibault High School, or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
John A. Ecker, 63, of Waterloo, died August 17, 2005, in Waterloo. He was born October 3, 2005, the son of the late John J. and Elsie Ecker nee Engle. He is survived by his sisters Beverly (Ronald) Haag of Wisconsin and Marilyn (Robert) Hoffmann of Waterloo; and a niece, nephew and cousin. He was preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Ecker was a member of American Legion Post #747 and the National Rifle Association. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A graveside service was held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Canterbury Manor Nursing Home.
Kenneth N. Wright, 61, of Red Bud, died July 31, 2005, in Red Bud. He was born August 31, 1943, in St. Louis, the son of the late John E. and Katherine Wright nee Nedlin. He was married to Nadine E. Wright nee Prange. He is survived by his wife; children Anita (Dan) Miller of Waterloo and Tina Tomlin of Red Bud; grandchildren Crystal Miller, Danielle Miller, Jennifer Zeiger, Bill Zeiger and Jay Tomlin; brothers Ben (Glenda) Wright and Roland Wright; and nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister. There was no visitation or funeral, per Kenny’s wishes. He requested a reception in his memory for relatives and friends at the home of Willard Wiggers.
Billy R. Meadors, 59, of Valmeyer, died August 23, 2005, in Valmeyer. He was born December 9, 1945, in St. Louis. He was married to Bernice J. Meadors nee Kempen. He is survived by his father James Jackson of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; wife; children Bill James (Jacqueline) Meadors of Valmeyer, David P. (Jennie) Meadors of Waterloo, and Thomas E. Meadors of Valmeyer; grandchildren Allen Meadors, Angela Meadors, Emma Meadors, Hannah Meadors and Isabella Meadors; sisters Debbie (Bill) Johnson of St. Louis and Shelly Davis of St. Louis; brother Terry Jackson of St. Louis; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother. Visitation and funeral services were at Quernheim Funeral Home. He is buried at Monroe City Cemetery in Monroe City.
Joseph Aubrey Pope, 84, of Columbia, died August 23, 2005, in Columbia. He was born October 14, 1920, in East St. Louis, the son of the late Marion F. and Anna Mae Pope nee Stuart. He married Emily Pope nee Cygan in 1944. He is survived by his wife; children Tom (Joyce) Pope of Fairview Heights, Margie Pope of Columbia, Larry (Sharon) Pope of Columbia, Ginny (Jeff) Devenport of Columbia, Frannie (Steve) Stoltz of Columbia, and Kate (Gary) Mueller of Columbia; grandchildren Beth (Aaron Lensing) Pope, Jennifer Pope, Joseph (Amanda) Pope, Lara Pope, Veronica Pope, Adam Devenport, Dan Devenport, Emily Stoltz, Trevor Stoltz, Christine Mueller, Greg Mueller, Chrissy French, Mike French and Adrienne French; great-grandchildren Lindsay Pope and Steven Pope; sister Mary Emily Ramsey of Collinsville; friends Mark Masoner and Steve Wagner; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Fred Pope, Ted Pope, Leo Pope, Ham Pope and Stuart Pope, and a sister in infancy. Mr. Pope was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. He retired from Sears Roebuck & Co. in East St. Louis as a garage foreman. He was a member of American Legion #581, Knights of Columbus #6165, and the Columbia Gymnastic Association. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. A funeral mass was said by Fr. Steve Gira. He is buried at Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the Immaculate Conception Education Fund, Immaculate Conception Building Fund, masses or Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Gertrude A. Smith nee Rosen, 82, of Columbia, died August 24, 2005, in Dupo. She was born November 7, 1922, in Breese, the daughter of the late Anton and Louise Rosen nee Liening. She married the late William “Billy” Smith on 1944; he preceded her in death in 1991. She is survived by her sons William J. (Linda) Smith of San Diego, Calif., Michael E. (Jerrie) Smith of Belleville, Joseph H. (Jo Anne Foster) Smith of Freeburg, Alfred A. Smith of Dupo, and Edward (Sherrie) Smith of Hollister, Mo.; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Bud Rosen of Peoria; sister Dollie Rosen of East Peoria; and other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughters Frances L. Koonce and Nancy J. Smith; sisters Esther Albers and Sis Wimpy; and brother Harry Rosen, who died in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge. Visitation and funeral services were at Lawlor Funeral Home. She is buried at McKendree Chapel Cemetery in Keyesport. Memorials may be made to Leukemia Research.
Florence C. Stone nee Lutker, 91, of Red Bud, died August 25, 2005, in Waterloo. She was born September 24, 1913, in St. Louis, the daughter of the late Walter and Mary Lutker nee Treweiler. She was married to Charles E. Stone. She is survived by her husband; son Carman (Colleen) Greenhill of Waterloo; grandchildren Daniel “Mitch” (Annette Riechmann) Greenhill of Red Bud, Michelle (Bob) Macal of Downers Grove, and Craig (Lisa) Greenhill of Lisle; son-in-law Chuck Gastelum of Albuquerque, N.M.; sister-in-law Rosemary Lutker of Waterloo; and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, daughter Maryann Gastellum, and brothers Lyle Lutker, Edward Lutker, Lloyd Lutker and Liburn Lutker. Mrs. Stone was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral mass was said at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, Msgr. Thomas Flach officiating. She is buried at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to SS. Peter and Paul School or Church, or in the form of masses at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud or SS. Peter and Paul in Waterloo.
