Helen Guttmann nee Unterseh, 86, of Valmeyer, died Jan. 30, 2008, in Waterloo. She was born Nov. 24, 1921, in Valmeyer, the daughter of the late Emil and Ida Unterseh nee Mosbacher. She was married to the late John Guttmann Sr. Mrs. Guttmann is survived by her son Allan (Catharina) Guttmann of Waterloo; grandchildren Darren (Rachael) Guttmann, Brent (Renee) Guttmann and Collena (Timothy) Ahrens; great-grandchildren Felicity Helen Guttmann, Gavin Dean Guttmann, Connor John Guttmann and Aden Bright Guttmann; and sisters Lucretia Kipping, Evelyn Foster and Ellen Fritz. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son John Guttmann Jr., brothers Francis Unterseh, Eugene Unterseh and Ted Lerch Sr. Mrs. Guttmann was a member of St. Mary Church in Valmeyer. She was also a member of Valmeyer American Legion Auxiliary Post 901. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral Mass was at St. Mary Catholic Church in Valmeyer, Father Urban Osuji officiating. She is buried at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery in Waterloo. Memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church in Valmeyer Building Fund.
Flora Margaret Valentine, nee Stiening, 95, died Dec. 6, 2014 at Manor Grove Skilled Care in Kirkwood, Mo. She died from an essential tremor illness. Flora was born Nov. 5, 1919 in Waterloo, the third child of the late August and Bertha (nee Fischer) Stiening. She married William “Bill” Valentine in 1943. He died in 1998. Mrs. Valentine is survived by her son, Robert (Barbara) Valentine of Spokane, Wash., daughters, Suzanne Grammer of Springfield, Mo., and Nancy (Dennis) Schlueter of Wildwood, Mo.; and grandchildren Adam Gannon and Angie Martin of Springfield, Mo., Justin Valentine of Spokane, Wash., and Ryan Valentine of Bellingham, Wash., along with nine great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Robert, Morris and Leonard Stiening, all of Waterloo. Having reached the age of 95, Flora had enjoyed a wonderful life including 55 years of marriage. In 1964, Flora and Bill moved from Waterloo to Springfield, Mo., as part of the BNSF (Frisco Railway) relocation of the St. Louis offices. Flora was a wonderful mother and homemaker and for several years was an active member of St. Paul’s UCC of Waterloo choir and Sunday school. She and Bill joined St. John’s UCC in Springfield where she continued her love of music with her participation in their choir. She was pretty much self-taught and had an “ear” for playing just about any song she had heard. While Flora lived in Waterloo, she was a member of and served as the pianist for the Rebekah Lodge. A memorial service will be May 2, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Paul’s UCC in Waterloo. Mrs. Valentine will be buried at Kolmer Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the St. John’s UCC Chapel Choir in Springfield, Mo.
John B. Niermann, 81, of Red Bud, died Dec. 2, 2010 at his residence. He was born Nov. 22, 1929 in Prairie du Rocher, the son of the late William and Clara (nee Wiegard) Niermann. John married Connie Bachelier on in 1955 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. He owned and operated Niermann Construction in Prairie du Rocher and Red Bud for 35 years. In addition to his wife, Mr. Niermann is survived by his children Gerald (Terry) Niermann, of Waterloo and Debbie (the late Tim) Godier of Prairie du Rocher; brothers Earl (Evola) Niermann of Columbia, Robert (the late Evelyn) Niermann of Waterloo and Kenneth (Barb) Niermann of Red Bud; a sister, Dorothy (Merlin) Boyd of Urbana; grandchildren Jessica (James) Workman, Travis Niermann, Chrystle Godier, Candace “Pete” (Nick) Mudd, Gregory Godier and Andrea “A.J.”Godier; a step-granddaughter, Alex Feldker; and great-grandsons Bryce, Hayden and Timothy Donjon, Dalton Mudd and Jonathan Workman; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Tim Godier; granddaughters Bethany Ann Godier and Kaitlyn J. Niermann; a brother, Wilfred Niermann; and a sister, Hortense Roy. Mr. Niermann served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud and was a member of the Knight of Columbus 1952 of Evansville, the Prairie du Rocher American Legion Post 622 and Carpenters Local 1361 in Chester. Visitation is Monday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud. A funeral mass will immediately follow with Msgr. Dennis Schaefer officiating. Mr. Niermann will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to St. John the Baptist Church and Grade School.
Mildred Steibel, 92, nee Deterding, of Prairie du Rocher, died Dec. 3, 2010 at the Red Bud Nursing Home. She was born Sept. 3, 1918 in Prairie du Rocher, the daughter of the late Stephen and Pearl (nee Allgire) Deterding. She married Clarence Steibel in 1940 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher. He died in 1975. Mrs. Steibel is survived by her children Rose Ann (Harry) Glenn of Prairie du Rocher, Wayne (Charlotte) Steibel of Ruma, Steve (Cheryl) Steibel of Red Bud and Sharon (Denis) Bagsby of Waterloo; a daughter-in-law, Bernice Steibel of Ruma; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by a son, Dale Steibel; sisters Grace Ellner, Helen Hemmer and Goldie Shields; and brothers Norvel Deterding and Clifford Deterding. Mrs. Steibel was a cook at the Little Cupboard Restaurant in Prairie du Rocher. She was a member of the Altar Sodality and a former PSR teacher at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher, was a past-president of the Prairie du Rocher Senior Citizens and was an avid quilter. Visitation is Sunday, Dec. 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud; Funeral is Monday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Prairie du Rocher with Father Daniel J. Jurek officiating. Mrs. Steibel will be buried at her church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church or to masses.
Mary A. Bennor, 100, of Columbia, died Dec. 3, 2010 at Columbia Convalescent Center. She was born April 2, 1910 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of the late George and Mary (McEnaney) McNamee. She married James Bennor in 1944. He died Feb. 1, 2003. Mrs. Bennor is survived by her daughters, Mary (Charles) Eppinger of Columbia and Fran Giovanini of Edwardsville; grandchildren, Angela (John) Leitschuh, Stephanie (Sean) Harmon, Dawn (Andrew) Kremer and Troy (Mary) Eppinger; great-grandchildren, Drew and Annie Kremer, Claire Eppinger, Steven and Ava Leitschuh and Liam Harmon; and sisters Rose McNamee and Dorothy Braquet. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Steven Giovanini. Mrs. Bennor attended Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. She retired as a cook from Jefferson Barracks Hospital in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Friday, Dec. 10, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Saturday Dec. 11, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia with Fr. Carl Scherrer officiating. Mrs. Bennor will be buried at Calvary Cemetery in Saint Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to her church’s building fund or Family Hospice of Belleville.
Betty J. Miller, 84, of Millstadt, died Dec. 4, 2010 at the Lincoln Home in Belleville. She was born, Jan. 1, 1926 in Chicago, the daughter of the late Vince and Bonnie Carter. Mrs. Miller was preceded in death by her husband: She is survived by her son sons Terry (Sherrie) Miller of Millstadt and Randy Miller of Lebanon; a daughter-in-law, Cindy Miller of Lebanon; grandchildren Matthew and Ryan Miller of Millstadt and Allison Miller of Lebanon. Betty was a home maker and a member of St. James Catholic Church in Millstadt. A private visitation will be held at Strauss-Leesman Funeral Home in Millstadt. A funeral will be held at the funeral home with Monsignor Marvin Volk officiating. Mrs. Miller will be buried at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville. Memorials may be made to masses at St. James Catholic Church.
Clementina “Sis” Floerke, nee Koch, 84, of Waterloo, died Dec. 4, 2010 in St. Louis, Mo. She was born Aug. 15, 1926 in Harrisonville, the daughter of the late Joe and Mamie (Engel) Koch. Mrs. Floerke is survived by her daughters Susan Floerke and JoAnn (Floerke) Meier, both of Waterloo; grandchildren Michael and Nicholas Meier of Waterloo; great-granddaughter Gabriella Anne Meier of Waterloo; and a brother, Victor Koch of Valmeyer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marcellus “Mac” Floerke; a grandson, Timothy Floerke; brothers Raymond Koch and Steven Koch; and a son-in-law, Rich Meier. Sis was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Society at Immaculate Conception Church in Madonnaville. Visitation is Wednesday, Dec. 8, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. at DeFabio Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Dec. 9, at 10:30 a.m., at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Madonnaville with Father Jose Jacob officiating. Mrs. Floerke will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to her church’s Altar Society, the cemetery fund or to Masses.
Rev. Stephen M. Gira, 59, of St. Louis, died Dec. 6, 2010. He was born July 19, 1951, in Chicago, the son of Erwin and the late Theresa (Grzechowiak) Gira. Father Gira was a member of the Congregation of the Resurrection and was the Parochial Vicar at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. In addition to his father, Fr. Gira is survived by his aunts, Sr. Mary Edward C.R., and Sr. Rosemary C.R.; uncles, Frank Gira, Fr. Edward Gira C.R., and Fr. Francis Grzechowiak C.R.; cousins, Bishop Robert J. Kurtz, Bishop of Hamilton in Bermuda; and the priests and brothers of the Congregation of the Resurrection; along with other relatives and friends. Besides his mother, he was preceded in death by uncles, Frank Gira, Fr. Edward Gira C.R., and Fr. Francis Grzechowiak C.R. The Rite of Reception will be Friday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. Visitation will follow until the Mass of the Resurrection at 7 p.m. with Bishop Robert J. Kurtz officiating. Father Gira will be buried at St. Adalbert Cemetery in Niles. Lawlor Funeral Home handled the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Resurrection Seminary in St. Louis, Mo.
Melvin H. Stamm, 90, of Columbia, formerly of East Carondelet, died Dec. 7, 2010 at The Bridges Assisted Living Center in Columbia. He was born Dec. 11, 1919 in St. Louis, Mo., the son of the late Gustav and Bessie (Foster) Stamm. He married Emma (Tabers) Stamm in 1940 in St. Louis. In addition to his wife, Mr. Stamm is survived by a daughter, Carole Gummersheimer of Dupo; son, Gary (Ruth) Stamm of Pleasant Prairie, Wisc.; grandchildren, Tammy, Terry, Sherri, April and Liesl; great-grandchildren, Ronnie, BreighAnna, Nathanael, Austin, Mattilee, Orion and Sierra; and great-great-grandson, Rylee. Mr. Stamm served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and then owned and operated Banty Excavating in Dupo. He was a member of Operating Engineers Local 513, the Columbia American Legion Post 581 and a Life Member of the Dupo V.F.W. Post 6368. Visitation and funeral were Lawlor Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. Mr. Stamm was buried at Lake View Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights. Memorials may be made to the Central Illinois Honor Flights.
Terry D. Westerheide, nee Burkhart, 50, of Waterloo, died Dec. 10, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born July 25, 1960 in East St. Louis, the daughter of the late Kenneth and Beatrice (Hensick) Burkhart. Mrs. Westerheide is survived by her husband, William V. Westerheide Jr.; a son, Chris Musk; a daughter, Brittany Musk; grandson, Christopher Musk; sisters Tisha Burkhart and Kim Burkhart; a brother, Kenneth Burkhart; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Jean and Bill Westerheide; brothers-in-law, Mike (Karen) Westerheide and Kevin (Colleen) Westerheide; sisters-in-law, Mary Beth (Mark) Cyliax, JoAnn (Ned) Lane, Sharon Cooper; nieces Leann (Travis) Henry, Krisi (Chris) O'Neill, Amanda Meirink, Lauren Ardis, Michelle Westerheide, Lizzy Cyliax, Danielle Cooper and Paige Lane; and nephews, Scott and Michael Cyliax, Kyle and Cody Lane, Brian Westerheide, Jacob Cooper, Kenneth Burkhart III, Cody Meirink, Benjamin Westerheide. She was preceded in death by a sister, Connie Bond. Mrs. Westerheide attended SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo. She went to the YMCA and worked at the Casino Queen. Visitation was at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral was at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo with Father Dale Maxfield officiating. Mrs. Westerheide was buried at Valhalla Cemetery in Belleville. Memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure.
