Obituaries

Florence M. Becker nee Wehlage, age 91 of Trenton, born March 22, 1924 in Breese, a daughter of the late John and Mary, nee Macke, Wehlage, died Monday, February 1, 2016 at Trenton Village in Trenton.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband Melvin Becker, whom she married April 29, 1947 at St. Dominic Church in Breese and he died on June 20, 2010; sisters, Katherine Ficker, Christine Schniers, Armella Holtgrave, and Leona Wehlage; brothers, John Wehlage Jr. in infancy, Victor Wehlage, and Ed Wehlage; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Ed Ficker, Herman Schniers, Rich Holtgrave, Irene Wehlage, Forest “Bud” and Gloria Becker, and Lillian Krueger.

Surviving are sons John (friend Cathy Bunn) Becker and Thomas Becker all of Trenton; and a sister-in-law Marge Wehlage of Glenview, IL.

Florence worked as a beautician and along with her husband Mel was a co-owner of Becker Oil in Trenton. She was a member of St. Mary Church and Altar Sodality, Trenton VFW Auxiliary #7983, and because of her love of bowling she was in the Clin-Clair Bowling Hall of Fame.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday February 4, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton with Fr. Joseph Rascher officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Mary Cemetery, Trenton.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 3, 2016 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and again on Thursday, February 4, 2016 from 8:30-9:45 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

Memorials can be made to the Sugar Creek Ambulance Service and will be received at the funeral home.

Trenton VFW Auxiliary will hold services at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Eugene C. “Gene” Jansen, age 83 of Breese and formerly of Belleville, born January 17, 1933 in Summerfield, a son of the late Leo and Marie, nee Eilers, Jansen, died Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Breese Nursing Home.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by brothers, Wilbert “Butch’ Jansen and Jerry Jansen; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Martha Jansen, Paul Kuper, Howard “Woody” Isaak, Bob Goestenkors, Geri Ratermann, Jeanne and Larry Meyer, and Mike Williamson.

Surviving is a daughter Deborah “Jan” Schrempp and husband Bill of Freeburg; a sister, Lue Flenniken and husband Virgil of Breese; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Jane Jansen of Breese, Mary Lou Isaak of Highland, Flo Hannagan and husband Sam of Hendersonville, TN, Maureen “Moe” Goestenkors of Aviston, Lori Williamson of Huntersville, NC, and Dennis Ratermann of Breese; numerous nieces and nephews, and extended family, Jean Marie, Paul, and Jason Buttice of Millstadt.

Gene served in the United State Army as a Military Policeman during the Korean Conflict and retired as the Swansea Improvement Manager and prior to that worked as the assist. manager of the Super Valu in Breese, manager of the Super Valu in Belleville, and owner/operator of Frank’s Market.

He was a former member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Belleville and Lifetime member Swansea Improvement Association since 1970, and current member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, past Commander of the Breese American Legion Post 252 where he was a member for 59 years, and also served as the Department Vice Commander on the District Level, and was a Charter Member and past President of the Swansea/Belleville Midtown Lions Club for 42 years and Deputy District Governor of District 1CN.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Patrick Peter and Deacon Linus Klostermann officiating. Interment will follow in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. and again on Monday, February 1, 2016 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials may be made to Breese Nursing Home or to the Alzheimer’s Association and will be received at the funeral home.

The Breese American Legion will hold services at 5:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home.

Paul B. Bruns, age 67 of Breese and formerly of Germantown, born November 3, 1948 in Breese, a son of Alvin and Leona, nee Tebbe, Bruns, died Thursday, January 28, 2016 at his home.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Annie, nee Wolters, Niemann.

Surviving is his wife Elizabeth “Betty”, nee Niemann, Bruns of Breese, whom he married April 28, 1973 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese; his children, Bernard “Bernie” Bruns and friend Cassie Wuebbels of Germantown, Erin Hentz and husband Ben of Pontoon Beach, and Michael Bruns and wife Ashley of Germantown; a sister, Mary Ann Varel and husband Stan of Bartelso; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sr. Dorothy Niemann, SCSC of Merrill, WI, Dolores Richter and husband Ted of St. Rose, Margaret Schaefer and husband Henry of Atlanta, MO, and John Niemann and wife Karen of Breese; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul was a lifelong dairy and grain farmer and loved working on his family farm, driving tractors, going to farm and tractor shows, and playing cards.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church and Men’s Sodality in Germantown, Clinton County Farm Bureau, Prairie Farms Family Farms Co-op, and was on the advisory board for the Clinton County Electric
Co-op.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, February 1, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Fr. James Buerster and Deacon Rich Bagby officiating. Interment will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery, Germantown.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 31, 2016 from 2:00-6:00 p.m. and again on Monday, February 1, 2016 from 8:00-9:30 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

Memorials may be made to the St. Boniface Cemetery Fund or St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown, the Clinton County Farm Bureau Foundation, or to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.

Richard A. Tebbe, age 71 of St. Rose, born February 21, 1944, a son of the late Leo and Regina, nee Detmer, Tebbe, died Saturday, January 23, 2016 at his home.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Andria Huelsmann; a sister, Pat Stallard; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alvin and Johanna, nee Kues, Renschen; and sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Renschen, Jane Engblom, and Donna Renschen.

Surviving is his wife Rita, nee Renschen, Tebbe, of St. Rose, whom he married August 28, 1965 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston; his children, Tina Frank and husband Brad of Highland, Colette Huelsmann and husband Dale, Scott Tebbe and wife Kristie, Robin Becker and husband Craig, and Amanda Tebbe and fiancé Kurt Hellmann all of St. Rose; his grandchildren, Alexa Becker and fiancé Bryson Potts, Hope Huelsmann, Peyton Becker, Seth Huelsmann, Connor Tebbe, Reaghan Tebbe, Laney Tebbe, and Elizabeth Snyder; his siblings, Joan Kohlbrecher and husband Butch of St. Rose, Paul Tebbe and wife Martha of Staunton, Jim Tebbe and wife Toots of St. Rose, Charlie Tebbe of Jamestown, and Danny Tebbe and wife Marilyn of St. Rose; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David Renschen and wife Shirley of Ormond Beach, FL, Judy Woltering and husband Matt of Jamestown, Andre Renschen and wife Diane of Charlotte, NC, Mark Renschen and wife Brenda of Breese, Karen Schulte and husband Marty of Centralia, Gary Renschen and wife Helen of Carlyle, and Lisa Renschen of Tahoe City, CA; several step-brothers-in-law, step-sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

Rich retired as the custodian at St. Rose Catholic Church and School and was a farmer. He enjoyed playing pool and softball, and tending bar at Scooters Pub in St. Rose.

He was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church and Men’s Sodality, and the St. Rose Development Club.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese with Deacon Linus Klostermann officiating. A private interment will take place in St. Rose Cemetery.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 27, 2016 from 4:00 until the time of services at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials may be made to the Mater Dei Scholarship Fund and will be received at the funeral home.

Ruth L. Huegen (NEE Holtmann) 75 of Trenton died Monday January 18, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville.

She was born April 20, 1940 in Albers to George and Mary (Huene) Holtmann: they preceded her in death.

She married Ronald Huegen October 27, 1959 at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Albers and he preceded her in death August 18, 2008.

Also preceded in death by a daughter Cathy Huegen, grandson Nicholas Huegen, sisters Alice Toennies, Dolores Poettker, Loretta Schwend, brothers Raymond Holtmann, Clarence Holtmann, sister-in-law Isabelle Holtmann, brothers-in-law Bill Spaeth, Cyril Poettker, Cal Schwend

Surviving are her children Carl (friend Linda Lurkins) Huegen of Trenton, Mark (Jeannine) Huegen of Cape Coral, FL, Ronda (Steven) Vaughn of O’Fallon, Coleen (Rick) Taylor of Breese, Todd (Mellissa) Huegen of Trenton.

10 grandchildren Robert Holtz, Jennifer (John) Seely, Ashley Huegen, Meghan Vaughn, Logan (Molly) Vaughn, Tanner Vaughn, Kayla Taylor, Brooke Taylor, Damon Wilderman, Tylor Huegen.

3 great grandchildren Caitlin, Liam and Noah

Brother David (Dorothy) Holtmann of New Baden

Sister Mary Ann Spaeth of Trenton

Brother-in-law Adrian (Trudy) Toennies of Trenton

Sister-in-law Adeline Holtmann of Germantown

Ruth worked as a dietary aid at Lebanon Health Care Center and was a homemaker. She enjoyed playing bingo, video gaming and puzzles. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Trenton, O’Fallon Optimist Club

Funeral
Services will be Friday January 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. at moss Funeral home in Trenton. Fr. Joseph Rascher officiating. Interment St. Mary Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday January 21 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM and Friday January 22 from 8:00 to 10:00 AM at the Moss Funeral home in Trenton.

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.

Expressions of sympathy can be sent to; www.mossfuneralhome.com

Jane F. Vahlkamp, nee Richter, age 87 of Breese, born August 21, 1928 in Breese, a daughter of the late Kasper and Rose, nee Heimann, Richter, died Sunday, January 17, 2016 at Aviston Countryside Manor.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John B. “Jack” Vahlkamp, whom she married October 25, 1950 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese and he died February 3, 2004; a sister, Estelle Kueneke; brothers, Ray Richter, Norbert Richter, Richard Richter, and Casper Richter; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Rose, nee Wilken, Vahlkamp; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Art Kueneke, Louisa Richter, Flora Richter, Dorothy Richter, Dorothy H. Richter, Colette Vahlkamp, Gene Niemeyer, and Paul Fehrmann.

Surviving are her children, Alan Vahlkamp and wife Janet of Walnut Hill, Julie Huels and husband Joe of Carlyle, Lisa Tebbe and husband Carl of Nashville, and Rose Huelskamp and husband Gerard “Shorty” of Breese; grandchildren, Leagha Woerner, Erika Thompson and husband Matt, Erin Amason and husband Jared, Alie and Abie Vahlkamp, Zachery, Cody, and Ashley Huels, Nick, Casey, and Max Tebbe, Colton, Dawson, and Adison Huelskamp; great-grandchildren, Alexius, Aurora, Aslyn, Jase, and Abel; her siblings, Lorene Niemeyer and R. Joe Richter and wife Barbara all of Breese; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Willene Fehrmann, Rose Marie Husmann and husband Ray of Breese, Lillian Fleckenstein and husband Jack of New Milford, CT, Fred Vahlkamp and wife Mary Jo of Decatur, Vernon Vahlkamp and wife Helen of Carlyle, Mary Huwa of Wheat Ridge, CO, and Lee Love and husband Dan of Albers; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Vahlkamp was a member of St. Augustine Catholic Church and St. Monica Altar Sodality in Breese, Daughters of Isabella Precious Blood Circle 718, Breese American Legion Post 252 Auxiliary, Clinton County Farm Bureau, former member of the Clinton County Farm Bureau Women’s Committee and Clinton County Homemakers Extension, former president and office holder of the St. Ann Sodality in Carlyle, and was a past 4H Leader for 7 years.

Jane along with her husband worked on their dairy farm in Carlyle until retirement and moved to Breese in 1995. She was an avid sewer, and later sewed over 200 quilt tops for church and also hand quilted. In addition to sewing and quilting, she also enjoyed embroidering, crocheting, spending time with her grandchildren, and watching the St. Louis Cardinals.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Chuck Tuttle and Deacon Bob Lippert officiating. Interment will follow in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 19, 2016 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday, January 20, 2016 from 8:00-10:30 a.m. at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials can be made to St. Monica Altar Sodality, Pro-Life National Right to Life, or the American Lung
Association and will be received at the funeral home.

The Breese American Legion Auxiliary will hold services at 7:00 p.m. followed by the Daughters of Isabella Tuesday
evening at the funeral home.