Edmund H. Eckart, 80, of Hecker, died June 25, 2006, in Belleville. He was born July 21, 1925, in Prairie du Long Township, the son of the late Adam and Emma Eckart nee Birkner. He was married to Esther E. Eckart nee Kreher. Mr. Eckart is survived by his wife; children Ralph (Kathy) Eckart of New Athens, Melba “Jeannie” Happel of Hecker, Mary (Larry) Schaltenbrand of Smithton, Edmund G. “Eddie” Eckart of Chester, Marvin (Sandy) Eckart of Red Bud, Geri Griffin of New Athens, Lori (Andy) Amann of Waterloo, Arnold (Angie) Eckart of Hecker, and Theresa (Jim) Stearns of Columbia; 23 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother Ervin (Irene) Eckart of Waterloo; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Emma Haudrich, brother-in-law Cyril Haudrich, sister-in-law Marie Eckart, mother- and father-in-law Edward and Mathilda Kreher nee Maurer, sons-in-law William Happel and Dale Griffin, and daughter-in-law Georgia Eckart nee Castens. Mr. Eckart was a member of St. Augustine Church in Hecker and served as secretary of the Holy Name Society.
“A beloved family man, he left behind a legacy of friendship, love and truth to his wife of 56 years. He was a great provider and giver to his children. His life was dedicated to his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin. Eddie spent his long life with hard work, dedicated to community services. He was a farmer all his life and a hod carrier for 38 years. He retired from M.L. Vasquez and after retirement he worked as head of maintenance for the Village of Hecker.”
His community involvement included: He was retired from the Hecker Volunteer Fire Department and served as assistant chief for a number of years. He was a charter member of the Hecker Sportsman Club and a lifetime member of Hecker Community Center. He was a member of NuDeal and the Millstadt Horseshoe League. His love of horseshoes involved hosting the Illinois State Horseshoe Tournament in Hecker for three years. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral mass was at St. Augustine Church in Hecker, Fr. Ralph Haas officiating. He is buried at St. Augustine Cemetery in Hecker.
Bea C. Schneider nee Kleyer, 83, of Waterloo, died June 28, 2006, in St. Louis. She was born January 1, 1923, in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Otto H. and Alma Kleyer nee Hoffmann. She was married to the late Louis C. Schneider. Mrs. Schneider is survived by her daughters Audrey (Robert) Hicks of Waterloo, and Claire Schneider of Murpheysboro; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Dorothy Senseney of St. Louis; brother-in-law Harold Schneider of Fresno, Calif.; and nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Mrs. Schneider was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo. She worked as a medical transcriptionist. Visitation was at DeFabio Funeral Home. Funeral services were at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo, Pastors Mary Beth Hartenstein and Doug Roberts officiating. She is buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo.
Vernon F. Hesterberg, 81, of Waterloo, died June 29, 2006, in Waterloo. He was born September 20, 1924, in Fults, the son of the late Raymond H. and Frieda W. Hesterberg nee Juelfs. He was married to Laverne H. Hesterberg nee Mueller. Mr. Hesterberg is survived by his wife; children Don (Barb) Hesterberg of Waterloo and Jim (Kim) Hesterberg of Waterloo; grandchildren Jamie (Todd) Nobbe, Zach Hesterberg, Ian Hesterberg, Robyn Hesterberg, Erin (Brandon) Harbison, Justin Hesterberg and Neil Stanglein (son of Eddie and Susan Stanglein); great-grandchildren Alex Nobbe and Aaron Nobbe; sisters and brother Doris (Willard) Meister of Waterloo, Ray (Shirley) Hesterberg of Waterloo, and Lil (Gene) Hohnbaum of Waterloo; and a brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter Gale Hesterberg Stanglein. Mr. Hesterberg was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo, and was a former trustee and president of the consistory, elder and cemetery board. He was also a member of the Fountain Water District and a lifelong honorary member of the Waterloo FFA. He was a merchant marine in World War II. Visitation and funeral services were at Quernheim Funeral Home, Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. He is buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Leona E. Berry nee Sensel, 60, of Waterloo, died May 3, 2006, in Red Bud. She was born Sept. 1, 1945, in Belleville, the daughter of the late Levi P. and Carolyn H. Sensel nee Klamp. She was married to Ellis H. Berry Sr. Mrs. Berry is survived by her husband; children Elizabeth (Jeff) Risley of Walsh, Ellis H. Berry Jr. of Fenton, Mo., Christina Berry of Belleville, and Kevin Berry of Waterloo; grandchildren Tabitha Lloyd, James Lloyd, Jessica Berry and Rebecca Berry; sister Lorena (Richard) Bleiber of Waterloo; nieces Carol (Brad) Matthias; nephew Tom Bleiber; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents. Mrs. Berry was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ in Waterloo. Visitation and funeral services were at Quernheim Funeral Home, Pastor Mary Beth Hartenstein officiating. She is buried at Waterloo Cemetery in Waterloo.
Olinda M. Harres nee Keller, 102, of Columbia, died May 3, 2006, in Columbia. She was born Feb. 6, 1904, in Stookey Township, the daughter of the late George and Elizabeth Keller nee Baltz. She was married to the late Theodore Harres; he preceded her in death bin 1965. Mrs. Harres is survived by her children Fredric (Marilyn) Harres of Columbia, Mary Lynn Harres of Columbia, and Carol (Walter) Giffhorn of Columbia; and grandchildren Nancy Wey, Lynn McCullough, Amy Distler, Mary Beth Kirkpatrick, Gretchen Conerly and Gregory Giffhorn. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Henry Keller, and sisters Alida Weber, Frieda Hofstetter, Viola Keller, Elmira Alberter and Pernilla Keller. Mrs. Harres attended St. Paul United Church of Christ, where she was active with the Women’s Guild. She was a member of Columbia Senior Citizens and Columbia Woman’s Club. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral services were at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. She is buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul United Church of Christ Elevator Fund.
Orville W. Wright, 82, of Columbia, died May 3, 2006. He was born Dec. 6, 1923, in Wellston, Mo., the son of the late Charles W. and Charlotte Wright nee Johanning. He married Dolores Wright nee Ritter in 1941. Mr. Wright is survived by his wife; sons Michael Wright of Belleville and David Wright of Columbia; grandchildren Ashley Wright and Michael Wright; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Lloyd Wright, Wesley Wright and Raymond Wright; and sisters Margaret Crawford and Marcia Wilson. Mr. Wright attended St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia. He was retired salesperson with U.S. Paint, Lacquer and Chemical Co., in St. Louis. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral services were at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. He is buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Ronald L. Bachelier, 79, of Waterloo, died May 6, 2006, in Waterloo. He was born March 19, 1927, in Prairie du Rocher, the son of the late Prosper and Ada Bachelier nee Godare. He was married to Bernell Bachelier nee Buettner. Mr. Bachelier is survived by his wife; children Brenda K. Schreder of Waterloo, Berneta J. Bachelier of Waterloo, Ronald R. (Cindie) Bachelier of Greenville, and Richard D. (Keda) Bachelier Sr. of Waterloo; grandchildren Lisa Stewart, Sherri (Chris) Morris, Richard D. (Nicole) Bachelier Jr., Andrea (fiance Fred Manning Jr.) Bachelier, Laura M. Bachelier and Kelly Bachelier; step-grandchildren Erika DeMoulin and Tiffany (Robert) McNeill; nine great-grandchildren; and brothers Myron Bachelier of Red Bud and Curtis Bachelier of Columbia. He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Brian J. Schreder, son-in-law Eugene Schreder, sisters Jacqueline Vogt and Marie Hooten, and brother Willard F. Bachelier. Mr. Bachelier was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo. He was also a member of UAW #110 and the Meatcutters Union. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral services were at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo, Pastor Tony Troup and Pastor Kyle Sandersfeld officiating. He is buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo.
Leonard David Chambliss, 35, of St. Louis, died May 8, 2006, in Columbia, Mo. He was born Aug. 13, 1970, in St. Louis County, the son of Catherine (Richard) Chambliss of Valmeyer and Richard D. Chambliss of St. Louis. Mr. Chambliss is survived by his parents, sister Mechelle Marie Anderson of Valmeyer, brother Ronald D. Chambliss of Arnold, Mo., aunt Kathleen See of Center, Mo., uncle Michael Flake of Waterloo, cousins Joshua Chambliss of Arnold, Mo., Seth Chambliss of Arnold, Mo., and Gabriel Anderson of Valmeyer, and other uncles, aunts and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Sam and Marie Chambliss and Henry and Frances Flake, and great-grandparents Michael and Clara Schulya. Visitation and funeral services were at Fey Funeral Home in St. Louis. He is buried at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to Serving Hands Hospice of Columbia, Mo.
Margaret C. Kaffai nee May, 91, of Waterloo, died May 10, 2006, in Waterloo. She was born Sept. 6, 2006, in Burksville, the daughter of the late Alfred and Helen May nee Cody. She was married to the late Alfred R. Kaffai. Mrs. Kaffai is survived by her sister Helen Frisch, brother Roy J. (Norma) May, sisters-in-law Margorie May nee Sondag and Corinne May nee Frisch, and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brothers James May, Alfred May, Ambrose May and Robert May, niece Diane May, sister-in-law Betty May nee Wierschem, and brother-in-law Edward Frisch. Mrs. Kaffai was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Church. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral mass was at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Msgr. Thomas Flach officiating. She is buried at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to Ss. Peter and Paul Building Fund.
Verlyn G. “Red” Smith, 76, of Waterloo, died May 11, 2006, in St. Louis. He was born March 1, 1930, in Boxtown, the son of the late William and Mary Smith nee Schmieg. He was married to Celestine “Sally” Smith nee Wierschem. Mr. Smith is survived by his wife; children Tom (Pat) Smith of Waterloo, Christine (Bill) Cook of O’Fallon, Mo., and Judi Horrell of Red Bud; grandchildren Melissa (Chris) Jonson, Kim (Chad) Everett, Jamie Smith, Lauren Smith, Hilary (Jason) Wagner, Ben (Elizabeth) Cook, Patrick Horrell and Phillip Horrell; great-grandchildren Taylor Johnson and Kyle Everett; sister-in-law Dorothy Smith; and sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death his parents, sisters Florence Juelfs, Rose Ahrens and Mamie Brown, and brother Gilbert Smith. Mr. Smith was a member of Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council #1334. He was retired from the Illinois State Police, was a former mayor of Waterloo and Waterloo alderman, and he owned V. Red Smith Pest Control. He was a member of Waterloo VFW Post #6504, Waterloo Sister Cities, Waterloo Optimist Club, Illinois Retired State Police Association, Illinois Police Association and Kaskaskia Post District. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral mass was at Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Msgr. Thomas Flach and Fr. John Day officiating. He is buried at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to Gibault Catholic High School or Ss. Peter and Paul School in Waterloo.
