Vernon W. Smith, 86, of Columbia, died Jan. 17, 2012, at Touchette Regional Hospital in Centreville. He was born Aug. 11, 1925, in Harrisonville, the son of the late Albert and Vera (Rippelmeyer) Smith. He married Lucille (Kremmel) Smith in 1950 in Columbia. Besides his wife, Mr. Smith is survived by his children, Mark (Dinah) Smith of Houston, Donna (Mike) Donovan of Ballwin, Brian (April) Smith of Columbia and Lance (Mary) Smith of Ballwin; grandchildren, Josh, Matthew, Kelly, Andrew, Erin, Holly, Julie, Natalie, Samantha, Sarah and Zachary; great-grandchildren, Casey, Lauren, Mia, Adilyn, Eli and Alexa; and a brother, William (Tillie) Smith of Waterloo. Mr. Smith attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia. Vernon was the athletic director with the Columbia School District. He taught and coached high school baseball, softball and basketball, but baseball was his passion. Vernon also coached numerous Columbia Khoury League baseball teams. After retirement, Mr. Smith worked at the Columbia Golf Course and enjoyed golf trips with friends. He was preceded in death by a sister in infancy, Darlene Smith; and a brother, Glenn Smith. Visitation was at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral was at his church with Pastor Steven Theiss officiating. Mr. Smith was buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Columbia - Building Fund.
Loretha Kenny, nee Fogilphol, 82, of Prairie du Rocher, died Jan. 21, 2012 at her residence. She was born June 15, 1929 in Prairie du Rocher, the daughter of the late Frank and Carrie (nee DuClos) Fogilphol. Mrs. Kenny is survived by a daughter, Susan (Richard) Dugan of Ruma; grandchildren Greg (Shannon) Reinhold of Prairie du Rocher, Diane Reinhold (Chester Kurkey) of Austin, Tex., Amy (Dan) Jackson of Red Bud, Michelle Mohl (Chris Garner) of Red Bud and Caitlin Dugan of Ruma; step-grandchildren Jennifer (L.J.) Rosenkranz of Waterloo, Christina (Chris) Nottmeier of Waterloo, April Dugan (Matt Signaigo) of Waterloo and Brian (Kelly) Dugan of Marion, Iowa; great-grandchildren Madison Reinhold, Triston Garner and Daniel Cole Jackson; step-great-grandchildren Rylee and Tanner Rosenkranz and Gage and Larkin Nottmeier; and sisters Wanda Honer of Prairie du Rocher and Pauline (Greg) Schmitz of Red Bud. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret and Mary; a brother, Patrick; and a brother-in-law, Frederick “Beck” Honer. Mrs. Kenny served for 20 years (1977-1997) as the Rocher village clerk. Prior to her service as clerk, she was employed as a secretary at Roger’s Redi-Mix in Ruma, King’s House of Retreats in Belleville and Allied Chemical in Prairie du Rocher. In addition, during the Flood of ’93, she worked for the Army Corps of Engineers, Rep. Dan Reitz and the others who worked to save the village. Prairie du Rocher during the Flood of ’93. Mr. Kenny attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher and was an associate with the Adorers of Christ Convent in Ruma. Visitation is Tuesday, Jan. 24, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher. A funeral will immediately follow. Mr. Kenny will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home of Red Bud handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to her church.
Thekla M. Zimmermann, 94, of Belleville, died Jan. 23, 2012 at St. Paul's Home in Belleville. She was born July 11, 1917, in Tamaroa, the daughter of the late Edmund F. and Eva B. (nee Nikrant) Matychowiak. She married Edward J. Zimmermann in 1941 in Belleville. He died in 2002. Mrs. Zimmermann is survived her children, Charles E. (Mary) Zimmermann of DeSoto, Mo., Barbara E. (Larry) Hubble, Steven F. (Christie) Zimmermann and Thomas M. (Dianne) Zimmermann, all of Belleville; brothers Edmund Matychowiak Jr., and James (MaryAnn) Matychowiak; a sister, Ida Eschman of Belleville; and a daughter-in-law, Carol Zimmermann of Belleville; along with 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Robert J. Zimmermann; and brothers Stanley and Leonard Matychowiak and George Maty. Mrs. Zimmermann attended St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Church in Belleville, where she was a Eucharistic Minister and member of the Perpetual Help Sodality. Thekla was an accomplished seamstress who also enjoyed playing cards and bingo. Her son, Steven, is employed at Lawlor Funeral Home in Columbia. Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 26, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Church in Belleville. A funeral will immediately follow with Rev. John Myler officiating. Mrs. Zimmermann will be buried at the Green Mount Catholic Cemetery. Lawlor Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to her church.
Kristine L. Wisdom, nee Wedel, 45, of Waterloo, died Jan. 24, 2012 in St. Louis, Mo., follow a battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 1, 1966, in Red Bud, the daughter of the Carolyn (nee Schmeding) Wedel and the late James Wedel. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Wisdom is survived by her husband, Ronny Wisdom II; daughters Elise (Danny) Mollet and Katelin Wisdom; grandchildren Daniel Mollet III, Jazmyn, Damien and Khloe Mollet; sisters, Karen (Michael) Toenjes, Kathy (Steve) Marquardt and Nicole Toal; brother, John (Brenda) Wedel; and best friends Pat Brogan and Karl Buckman; along with aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her father, she was preceded in death by her nephew, Jason Tedford; father-in-law and mother-in-law Ron and Dovie Wisdom; and her grandparents. Kristine was employed at Subliminal (Obee's) in Waterloo. Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 26, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mrs. Wisdom will be buried at Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery in Wartburg. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Touched By An Angel in her memory.
Mildred E. Nobbe, nee Liebheit, 87, of Waterloo, died Jan. 24, 2012 in Town and Country, Mo. She was born Sept. 10, 1924, in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Bernhardt and Tillie (nee Burkhardt) Liebheit. Mrs. Nobbe is survived by her children, David (Nancy) Nobbe and Daryl Nobbe; daughter-in-law, Carole Nobbe; and grandchildren, Nathan Nobbe, Nicholas Nobbe, Jesse Nobbe and Austin Nobbe; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbert L. Nobbe; a son, Dane R. Nobbe; grandson, Dane Nobbe Jr.; sibling Bernadine Luick, Bernhardt Liebheit and Mary Jane Moon. Mrs. Nobbe attended Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo. She was a member of the Waterloo VFW Ladies Auxiliary. Visitation is Thursday, Jan. 26, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, Jan. 27, at 9:15 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo with Pastor Tony Troup officiating. Mrs. Nobbe will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church or to the American Heart Association
Randy Gene “Mush Head” Rippelmeyer, 52, of Fults, died Jan. 28, 2012 at Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis following a two-year battle with cancer. He was born Sept. 25, 1959 in Red Bud, the son of Fayegene and Rayma Rippelmeyer of Valmeyer. Mr. Rippelmeyer is survived by his wife, Pam “Puddin” (nee Obptander) Rippelmeyer; a daughter, Dawn (Jimmy) Burns; a granddaughter, Olivia Burns; sisters Sandy (Gary) Baum and Pam (Rick) Roever; and a brother, Terry (Pam) Rippelmeyer; along with aunts, uncles, nieces, nephew and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents. Mush Head was employed by Gateway FS, working mainly at the Chalfin Bridge elevator. He enjoyed playing kloepper, riding his motorcycle and hanging out with his family and friends. Visitation is Sunday, Jan. 29, from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Quernheim Funeral Home. A memorial service will immediately follow with Pastor Patrick Poole officiating. His body will be cremated. Memorials may be made to Wings Of Hope or to the American Cancer Society.
Helen E.O. Glaenzer, nee Stumpf, 93, of Waterloo, formerly of Valmeyer, died Feb. 1, 2012 in Red Bud. She was born June 11, 1918 in Valmeyer, the daughter of the late, Adolph and Wilhelmina (nee Henke) Stumpf. Mrs. Glaenzer is survived by her children, Dianne (Jim) Mertz of Waterloo, Kenneth (Linda) Glaenzer of Waterloo, Kathy (Danny) Alspach of St. Louis and Darrell (Anna) Glaenzer of Valmeyer; grandchildren, Denise, Dawn, Cari, Daniel, Sharon and Josh; sister, Alice Schlemmer; sister-in-law, Leona Hoffmann; 10 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer Glaenzer; sister, Dorothy Schuchardt; and brothers, Robert and Charles Stumpf. Mrs. Glaenzer attended St. John UCC of Valmeyer where she was active in the Women's Fellowship. She was a member of the Valmeyer American Legion Auxiliary and the Waterloo VFW Auxiliary. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor David Riebeling officiating. Mrs. Glaenzer was buried at the St. John UCC Cemetery in Valmeyer. Memorials can be made to Hoyleton Children's Home or the Oak Hill Activity Fund.
Lt. Colonel Donald Thomas Reilly Jr. (retired), 80, of Waterloo, died Feb. 1, 2012 in Waterloo. He was born, Dec. 1, 1931, in Port Monmouth, N.J., the son of the late Donald Thomas Sr. and Edna (nee Lennon) Reilly. Mr. Reilly is survived by his children, Timothy Reilly and Jane (Tom) Huebner; grandson, Quinn Thomas Huebner; and niece, Kathy Bond. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan (nee Morgan) Reilly; and two sisters. Lt. Colonel Reilly Jr. was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He retired from Emerson Electric in St. Louis, Mo. Private services were held at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.
Florence Amanda Veit, nee Van Buren, 84, of Millstadt, formerly of Waterloo, died Feb. 2, 2012 at her residence. She was born Dec. 18, 1927 in Carrollton, the daughter of the late John and Frieda (nee Wolf) Van Buren. Florence married Melvin Veit in 1951 in Millstadt. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Veit is survived by her children Ricky (Chris) Veit, Sharon (Rick) Cromwell and Randy (Linda) Veit; grandchildren Michelle, Megan and Andrew Veit and Coleman Cromwell; and siblings Esther (Herman) Koldehoff, Norman (LaVerne) Van Buren and Harvey Van Buren; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and her hairdresser Penny. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Earl Veit; and sisters-in-law Hilda Veit and Helen Van Buren. Florence was a homemaker who was active in the Zion Evangelical Church in Millstadt’s Women’s Fellowship. She was also a member of the St. Clair County Farm Bureau and the Waterloo Sister Cities. She served for many years as the chairman of the Millstadt March of Dimes. Florence enjoyed flowers, birds, embroidering, baking cookies with her grandchildren, working on crossword and jigsaw puzzles and attending tea parties. Visitation is Monday, Feb. 6,from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. Funeral is Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m. at Zion UCC in Millstadt with Rev. Darrell Weber officiating. Mrs. Veit will be buried at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery in Millstadt. Memorials may be made to her church or to the March of Dimes.
Harvey T. Buettner, 90, of Columbia, died Feb. 6, 2012 at Columbia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was born Dec. 8, 1921, in Columbia, the son of the late Edward and Hilda (Johanning) Buettner. He married Helen (Rodemich) Buettner in 1950 in Millstadt. They were married in 1950 in Millstadt. She died in 2003. Mr. Buettner is survived by his daughter, Marcia (Roy) Williams of Millstadt; a son, Randy (Sharon) Buettner of Columbia; siblings Bernell Bachelier of Waterloo, Floyd (Florence) Buettner of Waterloo and Lou Ann Sheridan of Westford, Mass.; and grandchildren, Katie and Alex Williams, and, Lindsay and Brad Buettner. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harry Buettner; and sisters Myrtle Pulcher, Gladys Baumer and Verna Bachelier.
Mr. Buettner served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Harvey Buettner had owned and operated Buettner Construction Company and also Engineered Steel Buildings. Mr. Buettner attended St. Paul UCC in Columbia and was a past consistory member. He was a past president of the Columbia Rotary, former commander and drill team member of the of the Columbia American Legion, past president of Carpenters Local 1997, was a former board member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia, a past board member with the Waterloo Country Club and a past president of the 321st Engineer Battalion Reunion Group. Visitation is Thursday, Feb. 9, 2012, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, Feb. 10, at 11 a.m., at St. Paul UCC of Columbia with Rev. Kristofer Avise-Rouse officiating. Mr. Buettner will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to his church, the Columbia American Legion Memorial Trust Fund or Heartland Hospice.
