Joseph B. Ottensmeier, 81, of Trenton died Tuesday April 1, 2008 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. 

He was born March 4, 1927 in St. Rose Twp., IL to Herman and Mary (Stoff) Ottensmeier: they preceded him in death. 

Also preceded by a brother Francis Ottensmeier, sisters Helen, Mary and Sally Ottensmeier, father- and mother-in-law Ben and Mary (Roedler) Rensing, brothers-in-law Joe, Ben and Herman Rensing, sisters-in-law Corrine Feldman, Loretta Varel, Marie Rensing. 

He married Viola Rensing October 17, 1951 at St. George Church in New Baden and she survives in Trenton. 

Also surviving are son Robert (Sue) Ottensmeier of Trenton, Richard (Donna) Ottensmeier of Aviston. 

Daughters Mary Jo (Dale) Richter of Aviston, Marjorie Ottensmeier of Aviston, Nancy (Brian) Freivogel of Belleville. 

9 grandchildren Kris (Jeremy) Shubert, Amy Sue (Brian) Haar, Beth (friend Kyle Hawkins) Richter, Ryan Richter, Joshua and Adam Freivogel, Elizabeth Horstmann, Jordan and Rachel Ottensmeier. 

 A great grandson Mason Shubert. 

Sisters Clara Brandmeyer of Trenton, Margaret Ottensmeier of Aviston. 

Brothers-in-law Emil (Verena) Rensing of New Baden, Elmer (Ella) Rensing of New Baden. 

Sister-in-law Eugenia Rensing of Fairview Heights. 

Joseph was a retired farmer. 

Member of St. Mary Church and Men’s Sodality in Trenton, Aviston Knights of Columbus council #11110, past member of the Advisory Board with Clinton County Electric Coop. 

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Friday April 4, 2008 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton with Fr. James Dougherty officiating Interment St. Mary Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday April 3 from 4:00 to 9:00 PM and Friday April 4 from 8:00 to 9:45 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

Aviston Knights of Columbus will hold services 7:00 Pm Thursday at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to Mater Dei High school or St. Mary Church and will be received at the funeral home.