Jeannine Bierman, nee Carmon, 81, of Columbia, died Aug. 6, 2010 at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice Home in Edwardsville. She was born April 24, 1929, in Nuckols, Kent., the daughter of the late Walter and Virginia Lee (Nuckols) Carmon. She married Lee Bierman in 1960 in St. Louis, Mo. He died in 2001. Mrs. Bierman is survived by a daughter, Gena (Mike) McDonald of Effingham; sons Eric Bierman of Springfield, Carl (Cristi) Bierman of Columbia and Mark Bierman of Millstadt; grandchildren Andrew, Jennifer, Megan and Nathan McDonald, Nicholas and Taylor Bierman, and Paige Bierman; and a step-brother, Mike Bolton of Owensboro, Kent. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Walter J. Carmon; and a step-mother, Sara Carmon. Mrs. Bierman was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Columbia where she had been active with the Lutheran Women's Missionary League. She had retired from Aetna Finance Co. in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Monday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. A service will immediately follow with Pastor Edward Melchior officiating. Mrs. Bierman will be buried next to her husband at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church - Building Fund, Hospice of Southern Illinois.
William “Bill” Carl Spier, 66, of Dupo, died Aug. 7, at his residence. He was born May 15, 1944 in Morrilton, Ark., the son of the late Charles and Cleta Mae (Miller) Spier. Mr. Spier is survived by his brothers Lawrence (Virginia) Spier of Columbia and Henry Spier of Belleville; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by brothers Howard and Robert Spier. Bill was retired from the Columbia Quarry in Dupo. He was a member of the Dupo Volunteer Fire Department and the Local Labor Union. At Mr. Spier’s request, his body was cremated. Arrangements were handled by Dashner-Leesman Funeral Home in Dupo.
Viola A. Haltenhof, 93, of Springfield, formerly of Columbia, died Aug. 8, 2010 at the Regency Care Center in Springfield. She was born July 24, 1917 in rural Hecker, the daughter of the late Peter and Ida (Schein) Schneider. She married Guy Haltenhof in 1942 in St. Louis, Mo. He died in 2000. Mrs. Haltenhof is survived by a son, Jeffrey (Jody) Haltenhof of Oswego; grandchildren Kenneth Haltenhof of Le Ceiba, Honduras, Kalvin Haltenhof of Chicago and Kimberly Smoot of Springfield; a great-granddaughter, Emily Smoot of Springfield; and step-grandchildren Kristen (John) Alcorta of Arlington, Va., and Jon Alcorta of Arlington, Va. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Lynn (Haltenhof) Stone; brothers Otto, Emil, Nelson, Valentine and Willis Schneider; and sisters Ida Harres, Louise Witt and Amanda Klohr. Mrs. Haltenhof attended St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, IL, where she had been active with the Women's Fellowship and served as Sunday School Superintendent, was the original Junior Women's League president and served on the Consistory Board. She retired after 29 years as an elementary teacher with the Columbia Unit 4 School District, served as a past-president of the PTA and was a member of the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association. Viola also was a member of the Columbia American Legion Auxiliary. Visitation is Wednesday, Aug. 11, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral is Thursday, Aug. 12, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Mrs. Haltenhof will be buried at the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to her church.
Carl A. Wenkel, 77, of Columbia, died Aug. 9, 2010 at St. Anthony's de Greeff Hospice House in St. Louis, Mo. He was born Sept. 1, 1932 in Columbia, the son of the late Elmer and Dora (Reichert) Wenkel. He married Rosetta (Tebbenhof) Wenkel in 1954 in St. Louis, Mo. in addition to his wife, Mr. Wenkel is survived by a son, Gary (Susan) Wenkel of Branson, Mo.; daughter, Kimberly (Floyd) Sellers of Waterloo; grandchildren Shannon and Adam Wenkel; great-grandson, Bobby Dyson; a brother, Kenneth (Delores) Wenkel of Columbia; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Oldani of St. Louis, Mo.; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his in-laws, Frank and Ruth Tebbenhof; a brother-in-law, Mickey Oldani; and a nephew, James Wenkel. Mr. Wenkel served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was a retired supervisor from Turner Electric Company who had been a member of Columbia American Legion Post 581, Columbia Gymnastic Association - Turners and B.P.O.E. 2503 in St. Louis, Mo. Visitation is Friday, Aug. 13, from 9:30 a.m. too 10:30 a.m. at Lawlor Funeral Home. A service will follow with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mr. Wenkel will be buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Mo. Memorials may be made to the family.
Eugene J. Schorb, 79, of Columbia, died Aug. 10, 2010 at his residence following an extended illness. He was born Jan. 2, 1931, in Columbia, the son of the late Elten and Ottilda (Beckerle) Schorb. He married Elaine (Frye) Schorb in 1963 in Columbia. In addition to his wife, Mr. Schorb is survived by his daughters, Lisa (Terry) Meyer of Columbia, Laura (Mark Harris) Byrne-Harris of Leawood Kan., and Christine (Kevin Schmoll) Schorb of Columbia; grandchildren, Eric and Kaitlyn Meyer, Hailey Byrne and Andrew and William Schmoll; and his sister, Doris Schmersahl of Columbia; along with nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Kevin Byrne; and brother-in-law, Richard Schmersahl. Mr. Schorb served in the U.S. Army in 1952 and 1953 during the Korean War, reaching the rank of corporal within the headquarters of the Eighth Army. Mr. Schorb directly interacted with General Douglas MacArthur many times during his tour of duty. Upon his return from Korea, Mr. Schorb obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from St. Louis University. He joined the firms of Arthur Anderson in Chicago and Touche Ross in St. Louis prior to founding his own accounting firm in 1965, Eugene J. Schorb Certified Public Accountant in Columbia, which still bears his name today. During his long tenure at the firm, Mr. Schorb could usually be found at his desk most hours of the day and into the evening. In addition to serving his clients, he served as the auditor for the cities of Columbia and Waterloo, Monroe and Randolph Counties and countless school and service districts. He also played a key role in the development of municipal bond and tax increment financing projects throughout the region. Mr. Schorb was a life-long parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Columbia. He established its Lay Financial Board and served as the chairman ex-officio in a volunteer capacity since its inception. He was also instrumental in the development of the Immaculate Conception School Endowment Fund, recently renamed the Eugene J. Schorb - Immaculate Conception Church Fund For Catholic Education in his honor. He was a member of the Catholic Community Foundation Board of the Diocese of Belleville, providing guidance on investment vehicles for Catholic schools and parishes within the Diocese of Belleville. In recognition of these efforts to further the mission of Catholic education, in 1995 Gene was named a National Catholic Education Association Distinguished Graduate. He continued his support of Catholic education as a supporter the past 30 years of Gibault High School basketball. Mr. Schorb was honored in 1998 with the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Pillar of the Community Award for his contributions to growth within the community. He was also actively involved in the founding and early management of the Columbia Strassenfest. He was a 58-year member of Columbia American Legion Post 581 and a long-time member of Rotary International, serving as District Governor for Southern Illinois in 1967 - 1968. Visitation is Friday, Aug. 13, from3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Lawlor Funeral Home. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, Aug. 14, at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Carl Scherrer officiating. Mr. Schorb will be buried at the church’s cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Eugene J. Schorb - Immaculate Conception Church Fund For Catholic Education or the White Coat Society at St. Louis University’s School of Medicine.
Sharon Ann Mueller, nee Votaw, 62, of Waterloo, died Aug. 12, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born June 23, 1948 in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of Mary Ann (Gartland) Shelvy and the late Walter Votaw. In addition to her mother, Mrs. Mueller is survived by her husband, Ollney Mueller Jr.; step-grandchildren Charles E. Pyatt III, Christina Ann Pyatt, Julie Anna (Robert) Stofiel, Jane Elizabeth (Gene) Brussman and Dawn (Tom) Helfrich; a step-mother, Carol Votaw; sister, Mari Lester; niece, Rachel Lester; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild; along with aunts, uncles and cousins. Besides her father, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles E. Pyatt Jr. Mrs. Mueller was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waterloo. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Backstoppers.
Clifford W. Kern, 78, of Waterloo, died August 15, 2010 in Waterloo. He was born Aug. 4, 1932 in O’Fallon, the son of the late Albert and Ardella (Scharf) Kern. Mr. Kern is survived by his wife, Arline (Gummersheimer) Kern; children, Ellen (Dean) Armbrecht, Allen (Rosalie) Kern, Michael (Kathy) Kern, Ruthann Kern (Ken Myers) and Elizabeth (Scott) McAllister; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and four step-great-grandchildren; along with dear friend Luella Mueller. Mr. Kern was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Morris Kern, Shirley Wiese, Doris Kern and Delores Kern. Mr. Kern served in the Korean War. He was employed by Midwest Rubber Plant and American Zinc in Sauget. Clifford was a member of Modern Woodsmen, the Columbia Gymnastic Association and the Waterloo Sportsman's Club. Visitation and funeral were at Quernheim Funeral Home with Pastor Matt Friz officiating. Mr. Kern was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis. Memorials may be made to St. Paul UCC in Floraville.
William P. McDonnell, 64, of Columbia, died Aug. 16, 2010, surrounded by his family following an extended illness. He was born Oct. 16, 1945, in East St. Louis, the son of Charles McDonnell of Columbia and the late Alice Bernice (Aaron) McDonnell. He married Judith (Smith) McDonnell in 1973 in Clayton, Mo. In addition to his wife, Mr. McDonnell is also survived by daughters, Angel (Ted) Stevener of West Monroe, NY., Carrie (Gary) Mercer of Potosi, Mo., and Kristin (David) Phillips of Desoto, Mo.; a son, William McDonnell, Jr. of Syracuse, NY.; grandchildren, Tommy, Jacob, Kylie, Madalyn, Aaron and Chase; brothers, Michael (Maureen) McDonnell of Osage Beach, Mo., Terry (Linda) McDonnell of Cedar Hill and Rick (Diane) McDonnell of Murphysboro; and a sister, Vicky (Gary) Campbell of Osage Beach, Mo. William serve two tours of duty with the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He had retired from the MO-PAC (now Union Pacific) Railroad and was a member of the Columbia American Legion Post 581. Visitation and funeral were at Lawlor Funeral Home. Mr. McDonnell was buried at the Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Irene O. Doettling, nee Reichert, 90, died Aug. 16, 2010 in Waterloo. She was born Sept. 20, 1919 in Columbia, the daughter of the late John and Etta (nee Jergens) Reichert. Mrs. Doettling is survived by a son, Narvel (Norma Jean) Slone; daughter-in-law, Marilyn Slone; grandchildren Cathleen Slone, Harlan (Kathy) Slone Jr., and Penny Slone; a sister, Esther Clevenger; and niece, Annette (Butch) Gruber; along with other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl E. Doettling; an infant son, Harlan Slone; sisters Luella Kurz and Bernice Doerr; and a brother, Russell Reichert. Visitation is Thursday, Aug. 19 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. Funeral is Friday, Aug. 20 at 11 a. m. at the funeral home with Pastor Sue Artt officiating. Mrs. Doettling will be buried at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery in Columbia. Memorials may be made to Monroe County Humane Society.
Alice B. Mehrtens, 93, of Waterloo, died Aug. 17, 2010 in Maryville. She was born March 5, 1917 in Shannon County, Mo., the daughter of the late George and Sarah (Heiney) Karr. Mrs. Mehrtens is survived by her children, Phyllis Dion and Gary (Darlene) Garleb; 10 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a sister, Elsie Kreischer; and a brother, Louis (Marion) Karr; along with sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews and cousins. Mrs. Mehrtens was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond Mehrtens and Walter Garleb; son, Walter “Pete” Garleb; sister, Jessie Reece; and brothers Frank and Alonzo Karr. She was a member of St. John UCC in Valmeyer and the Valmeyer American Legion Auxiliary. Visitation is Friday, Aug. 20, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Quernheim Funeral Home. A funeral will follow that day at 2 p.m. at St. John UCC in Valmeyer with Pastor David Riebeling. Mrs. Mehrtens will be buried at her church’s cemetery.
