Marcella Edna Prater, 71, of Waterloo died June 21, 2014 in Red Bud. She was born Feb. 16, 1943 in Belleville, the daughter of Zuehla (nee Junge) Rowold and the late Fred H. Rowold. Marcella married Carl J. Prater Sin 1961. He preceded her in death. Besides her mother, Mrs. Prater is survived by a brother, Larry A. (Trudy) Rowold; daughters, Marlene E. Harrison and Carla (Michael) Konersman; grandchildren, Kenneth D. Smith II, Sarah A. Harrison, Nathaniel S. Harrison and Brittany A. Konersman; great-grandchildren, Kailey Smith and Emma Smith; an uncle, Walter (Marcella) Rowold; mother-in-law, Bertha (nee Turner) Prater; sisters-in-law, Ada Mae Hill, Janet Beecher, Linda (David) Offerman, Nancy (Andrew) Cleiman and Vanessa (Dean) Byer; and brothers-in-law, Richard (Jane) Prater, Kenneth (Rose) Prater and Harold Prater; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her father and husband, she was preceded in death by her father-in-law, Howard Prater; and sisters-in-law, Geraldine Pollard, Betty Warren and Patricia Prater; along with aunts, uncles and cousins. Mrs. Prater graduated from Belleville Barber College and was employed as a barber at Scott Air Force Base. She also worked at Schnucks in Waterloo and a large local retailer. Mrs. Prater donated her body to the Biological Research Center of Illinois. A memorial service was Aug. 20 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo. A potluck dinner followed. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Janet L. Smith, nee Horn, 71, of Williamsburg, Mo., formerly of Waterloo, died at Columbia University Hospital, 12 days after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was born Sept. 21,1942 in Waterloo, the daughter of Lorine C. (nee Nobbe) and the late Walter C. Horn. Besides her mother, Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband of 52 years, Don Smith; children, Kay (Gary) Smith of Medera, Calif., and Terry (Shelia) Smith of Bowling Green, Mo.; grandchildren, Jesse (Karien) Conyors of Medera, Calif., and Christine (Richard) Smith of House Springs, Mo.; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Sharon (Bob) Osterhage of Waterloo; a brother, Don (Sandi) Horn of Lafayette, La.; her mother-in-law, Loraine Smith of Warrenton, Mo.; an aunt, Esther (Vernon) Brandt of Waterloo; her uncle, Wilbert (Virginia) Horn of Largo, Fla.; nephew, Todd (Lucy) Osterhage of Waterloo; and a niece, Angie (Billy) Onder of St. Louis; along with brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She will also be missed by her two dogs, Jake and Taz. Mrs. Smith graduated in 1960 from Waterloo High School and lived in the surrounding St. Louis area most of her life. Mrs. Smith was cremated and laid to rest in Troy, Mo.
Albert Robison, 95, of Oak Ridge, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died May 29, 2014, at Monticello House in Jackson, Mo. One of six children, Albert was born Jan. 19, 1919, in Herrin, the son of the late Thomas and Gertie (nee Boyd) Robison. Albert married Mildred Chosich in 1955, in St. Louis, Mo. Mildred died in 2009. Mr. Robinson is survived by his nieces and nephews, Betty Cowan of Oak Ridge, Mo., Fran Robison and Linda Spence of Sikeston, Mo., Bob Robison of Nashville, Tenn., and Tom Robison of Springfield, Mo.; along with great-nieces and great-nephews. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Flossie (nee Robison) Burchett and Katie (nee Robison) Curry; brothers, Rev. J. W. “John” Harley and Jack Robison; a niece, Alice Curry; and nephews, Carl Eugene Curry and Jim Robison. Albert’s first job away from home was working for the Corps of Engineers on the Mississippi River. As World War II ensued, he continued to work with the Corps to construct new runways at Scott Air Field. In 1942, Albert was inducted into the U.S. Army at Jefferson Barracks. He served with the 1850th Service Command Unit of Camp Chaffee, Ark., with basic training taking him to Fort Sill, Okla. Mr. Robinson was stationed for a year in the State of Washington and worked with the military police. He finished his military service at Camp Chaffee, Ark., where he worked as a duty guard at the post stockade. Albert was honorably discharged in 1946. Mr. Robinson was then employed with the Veterans Administration for 37 years. He began his career as a cook and food service supervisor at Downey V.A. Hospital in Chicago. When John Cochran V.A. Hospital in St. Louis opened in 1954, Albert was there to greet the first patient to be admitted and began a 25-year career as food production supervisor, retiring in 1977. It was during his employment in St. Louis that Albert met and married Mildred. The couple first resided in St. Louis and then Dupo. The early 1990s brought health complications for Mildred, and they moved to Columbia. After Mildred’s death, Albert moved back to Jackson, Mo., to be near his family in Southeast Missouri. Mr. Robinson attended the Baptist Church. He was a member of American Legion Post 2910 in Bloomington. Visitation and funeral were at McCombs Funeral Home in Jackson, Mo., with the Rev. Josh Tillman officiating. Mr. Robinson was buried with full military honors at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield, Mo. Memorials may be made to the Bloomington American Legion Post 2910, St. Jude Children’s Hospital or the Oak Ridge Baptist Church.
Clifford “Cliff” Asselmeier, 90, of Waterloo, died May 31, 2014, in Creve Coeur, Mo. He was born Sept. 3, 1923, in Fults, the son of the late Carl and Anna (nee Fischer) Asselmeier. Mr. Asselmeier is survived by his children, Charles “Chuck” (Mary) Asselmeier, John (Jane) Asselmeier, Joseph (Judith) Asselmeier and Kimberly (Dale) Sylvan; grandchildren Melissa M. (Rob) Roessler, Christina C. (Scott) Purtell, Andrew J. (Samantha) Asselmeier, Aaron J. Asselmeier, Rachel L. Sylvan and Hannah K. Sylvan; great-grandchildren Trey and Tanner Roessler, and Jack and James Purtell; brothers Clinton and Darryl (Janet) Asselmeier; and sisters-in-law, Alice Asselmeier and Helen Meillier; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen (nee Klein) Asselmeier; and his brother, Carl "Bob" Asselmeier. Mr. Asselmeier served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. He was a life member of the Valmeyer American Legion Post 901 and Waterloo VFW Post 6504. Cliff was a member of the Disables American Veterans. Cliff was a former mayor of the village of Valmeyer and had retired from Navy Brand Manufacturing. Mr. Asselmeier attended Concord Presbyterian Church in Waterloo and was a Deacon Emeritus. Cliff was a member of the Shriners, Scottish Rite. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at Concord Presbyterian Church in Waterloo with Pastor Andrew Cheatham officiating. Mr. Asselmeier was buried at St. John UCC Cemetery in Valmeyer. Memorials may be made to his church.
Thomas Eugene Biffar, 53, of Waterloo, died May 15, 2014, in Red Bud. He was born May 1, 1961, in Red Bud, the don of JoAnn D. Biffar and the late Eugene E. Biffar. Besides his mother, Mr. Biffar is survived by his life companion, Linda Boyer-Antwine; sons, Alex (Sarah) Biffar and Adam Biffar; grandchildren, Lily and Jade Biffar; step-children, Amanda (Robert) Stiltz and Kenneth Norris; step-grandchildren, Jarad Algiere, Christopher Algiere, Tahlia Masters, Gage Norris, Wittnie Stiltz and Robert Stiltz Jr.; a sister, Mary Biffar; and his uncle and aunt, Sylvester and Leona Biffar. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael Biffar. Mr. Biffar was a graduate of Logan Chiropractic College. He was a member of the American Pool Assoc. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Sara Elizabeth Engbring Edwards, 36, died May 15, 2014, at her home in Carbondale following a lengthy battle with bone cancer. She was born Sept. 21, 1977, in Carbondale, the daughter of Peter and Gina Barringer Engbring. She married Herb Edwards on May 13, 2014 in Carbondale. Besides her husband, Mrs. Edwards is survived by her four-year-old daughter, Zia Angelina; sister, Katie (Brian) Carlson and niece, Nora of Chicago; her mother, Gina Engbring of Alto Pass; grandparents, Jerome and Lucy Engbring of Valmeyer; and aunts and uncles, John (Teri) Engbring of Corvalis, Ore., Tim Engbring of Valmeyer, Jeff (Rita) Engbring of Cobden, Paul (Grace) Engbring of Telluride, Colo., Miguel Engbring of Maeystown, Mary (Jim) Estep of Sacramento, Calif., Tom (Katherine) Engbring of Camden, N.C., Susan Engbring of Alto Pass, Jim Engbring of Phoenix and Charlie (Laurie) Engbring of Savannah, Ga.; along with many cousins; and her best friend, Sivoney Alaniz of Carbondale. She was preceded in death by her father, Peter Engbring; her grandparents, Mary Angelina and Bobby Joe Barringer of Carbondale; and her aunt Kathi (Hesterberg) Engbring of Maeystown. Sara attended Cobden Grade School and High School. She was a free spirit who loved traveling and camping all over the country. Sara lived and worked in Arkansas and Arizona before settling back in Southern Illinois to help care for her dad and her grandparents. Her greatest joy in her life was her daughter Zia. Sara worked as a seamstress and had an artistic talent that was evident in her intricate beaded jewelry. All the women in her family possess a token of her handiwork. There were no services or visitation. A memorial gathering for family and friends was in Alto Pass.
Wilma M. Colyer, 95, nee Rogers, of McClure, died May 18, 2014 at St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, Mo. She was born May 18, 1919 in Alexander County to A. R. and Ola Cleaver Rogers. Wilma married Emanuel Colyer in 1937 in Jackson, Mo. He died in 1997. Mrs. Colyer was survived by her son, James “Ron” (Lynn) Colyer of Columbia who died May 27, 2014. Other survivors include a daughter, Peggy J. Evans of Phoenix, Ariz.; sisters, Leoda Watkins of Ware, Jean Moss of Anna and Doris Jobe (Ken) of Virginia Beach, Va.; along with nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter-in-law, Marilyn; brothers, Lawrence Rogers and Leroy Rogers (who died in 1945 in the Battle of the Bulge and is buried in Luxembourg); sisters, Marie Held and Annie Blaylock; and one great-grandchild. Wilma graduated from McClure High School. She was a 4-H Leader, and a member of East Cape Baptist Church, Homemakers Extension of Alexander County, Women Missions United and Woodmen's Women of the World. She worked at Hirsch's Thriftway in Cape Girardeau. Visitation and funeral were at Ford and Sons Chapel in Cape Girardeau with Rev. Raymond Oxford officiating. Mrs. Colyer was buried at the Lindsey Cemetery in McClure. Memorials may be made to the Lindsey Cemetery Fund.
James R. “Ron” Colyer, 69, of Columbia, died May 27, 2014 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville following a brief illness. He was born Jan. 16, 1945, in Cape Girardeau, Mo., the son of the late Emanuel and Wilma (nee Rodgers) Colyer. He was married Lynn (nee Thompson) Colyer in 2003 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Colyer is survived by his children, James (Christy) Colyer of Cape Girardeau, Mo., Josh (Mary) Colyer of Columbia, Calli (Shaun) Hannah of Columbia and Brian Schlemmer of Columbia; grandchildren, Jordan, Bailey, Andrew, Reese, Aiden and Brilynn; a sister, Peggy Evans of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a sister-in-law, Betsy (James Fox) Olsson of Waterloo. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Bill (Mitzi) Colyer; and a grandson, James William Colyer. Ron was raised on a farm near McClure, in the "poorest county in the state of Illinois.” He was a graduate of Shawnee High School and received both his Bachelor's and Master's Degree from Southeast Missouri State University. Mr. Colyer was a proud brother in the PKA Fraternity. As a young man he worked for the Postmaster General in Washington D.C., and wrote a speech given by President Lyndon Johnson. Ron was currently serving in his second term as the Columbia city clerk. Mr. Colyer had a long career in education, serving as an administrator, teacher and coach in the Columbia, Dupo and Marissa School Districts. He was a former member of the Columbia School Board, a lifelong Democrat and a member of the Columbia Gymnastic Association (Turners). Among his accomplishments, Ron was a high school baseball umpire, umpiring in three IHSA state championship games. He was a former high school football referee and Khoury League coach. Mr. Colyer played, coached umpired and announced in the Mon-Clair Baseball League. Coach Colyer was also a former local newspaper columnist. He played softball for many years for Jim and Ray's, and in many various leagues around the area. Ron was proud of his attendance at 54 straight Illinois basketball championships. Ron will be missed by countless friends, former students, players, and teammates, "Lynn's Girls", golf buddies and the Friday Night Club. He was deeply devoted to his family. Anyone who knew Ron was constantly reminded of his unwavering devotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Fighting Illini. Ron attended St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia. Visitation and funeral were at Lawlor Funeral Home with Rev. William Groennert and Rev. Steven Theiss officiating. Memorials may be made to the Ron Colyer Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Sara Maxine Hudson, 87, of Columbia, formerly of Greenville, SC, died May 19, 2014 at Columbia Rehab and Nursing Center. She was born Sept. 17, 1926, in Greenville, SC, the daughter of the late Carl and Ollie (nee Boswell) Guest. Sara married U.S. Navy Lt. Commander James E. Hudson in 1950. He died in 1995. Mrs. Hudson is survived by her daughter, Debra (Michael) Harres of Millstadt; grandchildren, Nathan (Laura) Harres, Jordan (Amanda) Harres and Hannah Harres; and her sister, Norma Jean Turner of Greenville, SC. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Mary "Dade" Burns, Frances "Pat" Finley and Dorothy "Dot" Shepherd; and her brother, William Guest. Services and burial were at Woodlawn Cemetery in Greenville, SC. Memorials may be made to the Greenville American Legion Post 3. Local arrangements were handled by Lawlor Funeral Home.
Mary Ann J. Kern, nee Heimos, 74, of Waterloo, died May 19, 2014, in St. Louis. She was born May 14, 1940, in Sugarloaf Township, the daughter of the late George and Mary (nee Houseshield) Heimos. Mrs. Kern is survived by her children, William (Bonnie) Kern, Steven Kern and Jeffery (Rob Dawes) Kern; grandchildren, Marlana Freimueth and Daityn Kern; and brothers, Gus (Percy) Heimos and Nick (Dottie) Heimos; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Morris Kern; and her sisters. Mrs. Kern attended St. Patrick Catholic Church in Tipton. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Father John Kizhakedan officiating. Mrs. Kern was buried at Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery in Madonnaville.
