Lester O. Schumacher, 67, of Columbia, died Sept. 8, 2011 at Des Peres Hospital in Des Peres, Mo. He was born Oct. 23, 1943, in Belleville, the son of the late Lester and Clara (Birch) Schumacher Baltz. He married Shirley (nee Block) Schumacher in 1965 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Schumacher is survived by his sons, Scott (Lisa) Schumacher and Cris (Gretchen) Schumacher, both of Columbia; grandchildren, Brendan and Madison Schumacher, and step-sisters, Janet (Orville) Mueller and Gloria Baltz. He was preceded in death by a son, Bradley Schumacher; daughter, Mary Ann Schumacher; and a step-brother, William Baltz. Mr. Schumacher served for more than 40 years with the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department, where he was a former second assistant and chief. He had retired as a pipefitter from Monsanto Corp. in St. Louis, Mo. Les was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6165 and was a Kloepper Grand Champion. Visitation is Sunday, Sept. 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Monday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Gary Hogan officiating. Mr. Schumacher will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Columbia Volunteer Fire Department or the American Lung Association.
Gary Lee Mollet, 34, of Freeburg, died Sept. 15, 2011 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Jan. 19, 1979 in Junction City, Kan., the son of Geraldine Beelman of Belleville and the late Gary Gerald Mollet. Besides his mother, Mr. Mollet is survived by his father, Darrel Vogt of Millstadt; step-father, James Beelman; son, Jacob Gerard Mollet of Millstadt; a daughter, Nevaeh Mollet; sister, Tiffany Vogt of Millstadt; brother, Adam Vogt of Millstadt; and a niece, Shawn Kingery; along with aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his father, Mr. Mollet was preceded in death by his grandparents, Archie and Shelva Carron, Pauline Mollet and Gerard Mollet. Mr. Mollet served four years in the U.S. Navy and four years in the U.S. Marine Corps during which time he was deployed to two tours in Iraq. Gary was employed as a custodian at Jefferson Barracks. Visitation and funeral were at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt with Rev. Dave Harbison officiating. Mr. Mollet was buried with full military honors at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo.
James F. Langston, 50, of Waterloo, died Sept. 18, 2011 in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Oct. 15,1960 in Chicago. Mr. Langston is survived by children, Jennifer Langston and Jared Langston; grandson, Henry Wright; and sibling Barb Chadwick, Rick (Jeanean) Schmidt, Roger (Lori) Schmidt and Jerry (Karolyn) Schmidt; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Deborah A. Langston; mother, Margie (nee Seagraves) Schmidt; and step-father Glenard Schmidt. Visitation and funeral was at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mr. Langston was buried at the SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church Cemetery in Waterloo.
Pauline R. Helfrich, nee Schneider, 85, of Waterloo, died Sept. 20, 2011 in Waterloo. She was born March 6, 1926, in Waterloo, the daughter of the late Henry and Louise (nee Schmetz) Schneider. Mrs. Helfrich is survived by daughters, Barbara A. Helfrich, Carol (Jerry) Postlewait and Linda (Kendall) Newbern; grandchildren, Jennifer Iverson, Michael and Matthew Dobias–Helfrich, Eric (Christy) Birkner, Christopher (Mindy) Birkner and Alexandra Newbern; step-grandchildren, Bill, Sam and Tim Postlewait and Lori (Kyle) Dudley; and great-grandchildren, Haley, Aidan, Avery, Owen, Lucas, Drake, Tyler and Caleb; along with nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond E. Helfrich; sisters, Theresa, Mary, Rita, Gert Schneider and Louise Unterseh. Mrs. Helfrich attended S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral was at S.S. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo with Father Osang Idagbo officiating. Mrs. Helfrich was buried at her church’s cemetery.
Frank M. Koesterer, 72, of Ruma, died Sept. 22, 2011 at Red Bud Regional Hospital. He was born June 17, 1939 in East St. Louis, the son of the late Harry and Catherine (nee Mathias) Koesterer. Frank married Doris Demick in 1962 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma. She died in 2010. Mr. Koesterer is survived by his children, Melissa (Gerald) Crafton of Evansville, Michelle (Jeff) Mehring of Red Bud, Michael (Kim) Koesterer of Smithton and Matthew (Tammy) Koesterer of Red Bud; a brother, Donald (Betty) Koesterer of Freeburg; grandchildren Kelly Vines, Adam (Kim) Mehring, Sarah (Chris) Moll, Nathan Koesterer, Nicholas Koesterer, Kevin Crafton, Sophia Koesterer and Lydia Koesterer; and one great-grandson, Camden Vines. Mr. Koesterer was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving as an Airborne Ranger. Frank had been a mechanic for 32 years at Bi-State (Metro Transit) in St. Louis, Mo. He attended St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma and was a member of Union 788 (Amalgamated Transit Union) and the Prairie du Rocher American Legion Post 622. Visitation is Saturday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Ruma. A mass will immediately follow with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Mr. Koesterer will be buried in the church’s cemetery.
Kenneth A. Lich, 72, of Waterloo, died Sept. 25, 2011 in Centreville. He was born July 23, 1939 in Waterloo, the son of the late Elmer and Ella (nee Giffhorn) Lich. Mr. Lich is survived by a sister, Arlene Myers; and cousins. Visitation is Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral will immediately follow with Pastor Dick Sparrow officiating. Mr. Lich will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery in Waterloo.
Leo Roy “Gunner” Robert, 80, of Red Bud, died Sept. 26, 2011 at Red Bud Nursing Home. He was born Aug. 23, 1931 in Modoc, the son of the late Leo P. and Burnet (nee Brown) Robert. Leo married Irene Benline in 1958 in Renault. In addition to his wife, Mr. Robert is survived by his children, Norman (Linda) Robert of Evansville, Julie Weihl of Red Bud, John (Donna) Robert of Waterloo, Neal (Donna) Robert of Marissa, Dennis (Julie) Robert of Waterloo and Dale (Kim) Robert of Prairie du Rocher; brother-in-law, Gilbert Bauer of Red Bud; grandchildren, Jeremy, Sarah, May, Mellisa, Andrea, Jerry, Dustin, Andrew, Jessica, Dallas, Tammy and Brady; and 12 great-grandchildren; along with nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by a sister, Leta Rae Bauer. Mr. Robert was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud. Gunner had been a factory worker at the Singer Company in Red Bud. He was a member of the Prairie du Rocher American Legion and Local 459. Visitation is Thursday, Sept. 29, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Friday, Sept. 30, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating. Mr. Robert will be buried at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church Cemetery in Red Bud. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Earl W. Wilde, 85, of Columbia, died Sept. 30, 2011, at Columbia Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. He was born Aug. 11, 1926, in Columbia, the son of the late William and Gertrude (Hutsch) Wilde. He married Jeanne (Buehler) Wilde in 1953 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Wilde is survived by his children, Michael (Carol) Wilde of Columbia, Debra Wade of Portland, Ore.; Christine (Terry) Jackson of Olathe, Kan., David (Georgia) Wilde of Collinsville and Susan Wilde of Olathe, Kan.; a brother, Robert Wilde of Berkeley, Calif.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, George Wilde; sisters, Katherine Kaempfe and Eleanor DeLuca; brother-in-law, Robert Buehler; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Daab. Mr. Wilde served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a retired HVAC metal worker at Progressive Recovery Industries in Dupo. Earl attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council 6165 – Third Degree. Mr. Wilde was also member of the Columbia Gymnastic Association (Turner Hall), the Columbia American Legion Post 581 and Sheet Metal Workers Local 268 of Caseyville. A memorial mass will be Saturday, Oct. 8, at 9 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. Mr. Wilde has gifted his remains to St. Louis University. Memorials may be made the Immaculate Conception Church Building Fund or the St. Louis Alzheimer’s Association.
Ruth Gielow, 93, of Red Bud, died Oct. 1, at Red Bud Regional Hospital. She was born July 11, 1918 in Culter, the daughter of the late George and Alvina (nee Zimmer) Lakeman. She married Harold Gielow in 1941 in Baldwin. He died in 1990. Mrs. Gielow is survived by her sons Ronald Gielow of Dallas, Tex., and Larry (Diane) Gielow of Red Bud; a sister, Georgia Kellerman of DuQuoin; and grandchildren Amanda Gielow, Marcus Gielow, Erin (Derek) Pechacek and Amy Gielow; along with nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Paula Piel and Delia Bergman. Ruth was a homemaker who attended St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud where she was active with the Evening Guild. She was also a member of the St. Clement Hospital Auxiliary. Ruth was a seamstress who enjoyed quilting, as well as playing cards, dancing and camping. Visitation is Monday, Oct. 3, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud. Funeral is Tuesday, Oct. 4, at 11 a.m., at St. John Lutheran Church in Red Bud with Rev. Russell Koen officiating. Mrs. Gielow will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
Alice Ann M. Haslag, 65, of Bonnots Mill, Mo., formerly of Waterloo, died Oct. 5, 2011, at University Hospital in Columbia, Mo. Mrs. Haslag was born Jan. 15, 1948, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of the late Joseph and Zoedell (Drees) Meier. Mrs. Haslag he married Donald Haslag Sr. in 1995 in Loose Creek, Mo. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Haslag is survived by a step-son, Donnie (Debbie) Haslag Jr. of Bonnots Mill, Mo.; step-daughters and Dianna (David) Silvester and Darla Luebbert, both of Jefferson City, Mo., and Debbie (Keith) Jaegers of Linn, Mo.; a brother, John (Marie) Meier of Waterloo; a sister-in-law, JoAnn Meier of Waterloo; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren; along with nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Meier; stepson, Dennis Lee Haslag; and son-in-law, Phil Luebbert. Alice Ann graduated from SS. Peter and Paul Catholic High School in Waterloo. She worked for 32 years at Von Hoffmann and five years at Missouri State Printing, both located in Jefferson City, Mo. Alice Ann attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek and was a member of the St. Ann Sodality. She enjoyed watching NASCAR races and rooting for Richard Petty. She and Don Sr. attended the Richard Petty Driving School. Alice Ann was also an avid collector of mice items and her favorite saying was, “You can always tell how the inside of a house looked by the way the outside looked.” Visitation is Sunday, Oct. 9, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Morton Chapel in Linn, Mo. Mass is Monday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Loose Creek, Mo., with Fr. I.C. Medina officiating. Mrs. Haslag will be buried at her church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the church.
