Obituaries

Harold L. “Hunka” Piro, 69, of Newton, IL and formerly of Sandoval, IL and Carlyle, IL, died Monday, January 27, 2014 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL.

He was born April 5, 1944 in Breese to Frederick and Della Morgan; they preceded him in death.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Tammy King; and grandsons, Alex Randant and Allan Wempe.

He married Judith Ellisor and she survives.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his children, Scott (Felicia) Harlan of South Carolina, Margie King of Nashville, IL, Jesse King of Lufkin, TX, Joseph (Karen) King of Sandoval, Donald (Vicki) King of Centralia, and Jeffrey King of Sandoval; 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Francis Morgan of Anna, IL, Freddy Morgan of Indiana, and Wanda (Lenny) Wilson of McLeansboro, IL.

Harold was a lifelong farmhand.

In keeping with his wishes, cremation was held and a private interment will take place in Posey Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society and will be received through Moss Funeral Home in Breese who is in charge of the arrangements.

Cyril Herman Voss of Breese departed this life peacefully after a 6 year battle with cancer on January 26, 2014 at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Cyril was born in Breese on May 10, 1930

Cyril married Eleanor A. Laux October 10, 1951 at St. Felicitas Catholic Church, Beaver Prairie.

Cyril served in the U.S., Army with the Aviation Engineer Battalion as a Grader Operator from 1952 – 1954. After his military service, he started his farming in Beaver Prairie. Cyril retired from farming in 1997, and continued to help his sons on the family farm. He was a member of the Clinton County Farm Bureau, St. Felicitas Catholic Church in Beaver Prairie where he served as an Extraordinary Minister. Cyril served the Wheatfield Twsp Road District for 40 years, serving as the Road Commissioner for 32 years. He was a past member of the Clinton County Twsp. Officials. Cyril was instrumental in the formation of the Wheatfield Twsp Fire Department. He was an active member of the Fire Department for 20 years. Cyril was a director for the Breese Mutual Insurance Company for 20 years. He participated in the Just Faith Social Ministry Group. He was a member of the Breese American Legion Post 252, Breese Knights of Columbus, American Farm Heritage Museum, and a member of the St. Louis Metro Polka Club. He also participated in the Clinton County Relay for Life and the Plow for a Cure.

Cyril leaves his loving wife and family Eleanor (Laux) Voss of Breese, Dale (Carolyn) Voss of Pierron, Dennis (Amy) Voss of Carlyle, Jim (Donna) Voss of St. Rose, Glen (Denise) Voss of Carlyle, Leon (Julie) Voss of Breese, Peggy (Craig) Timmermann of Aviston, Lynn (Dave) Meddows of Trenton.

Grandchildren Audra (friend Dave), Erica (Rob), Stephanie (Stacy), Amanda (Jeremiah), Erin (Chad), Jamie, Kelly, Nick (Angela), Chris (Kayla), Zach, Luke, Leann, Kyle (friend Carli), Megan (friend Kyle) Amber, Ryan, Cami and 6 great grandchildren.

Also survived by his siblings Theodolinda “Lin” Jansen, Jerome Voss, Armella Wych, Clarence Voss, Leonard (Betty) Voss, Theodore Jr (Laura) Voss,

Sisters-in-law Bertha Voss, Helen Kniepmann

Preceded in death by his parents Theodore B. and Clara G. (Huene) Voss, a son in infancy Charles Gerard, grandsons Blake Voss, Nathan Meddows, a sister Del Becker, His father–in-law and mother-in-law Julius and Cecilia (Dumstorff) Laux, his bothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Lorraine Voss, Bernard Becker, August Jansen, Aron Wych, Leonard Laux, Raymond Kniepmann, Vincent Voss, Steve and Dorothy Haselhorst

Funeral mass of Christian burial will be Friday January 31, 2014 at 10:00 am at St. Felicitas Catholic Church in Beaver Prairie with Fr. Larry Nickels officiating. Interment St. Felicitas Cemetery.

Visitation will be Thursday January 30, from 4 to 8 PM and Friday January 31 from 8 to 9:30 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Breese American legion services will be held on Thursday at 7:00 PM and Knights of Columbus at 7:30 PM at the funeral home.

Memorials can be made to St. Felicitas Catholic Church Cemetery Fund, TIP Hospice, Catholic Urban Programs.

Cyril J Poettker, 88, of Breese died Saturday January 25, 2014 at Breese Nursing Home

He was born July 1, 1925 in Aviston to Herman and Mary (Strieker) Poettker: they preceded him in death.

He married Dolores Holtmann on July 18, 1950 at St. Bernard Church in Albers and she preceded him in death April 1, 2013.

Also preceded in death by brothers, Joseph Poettker and Cletus Poettker; a sister, Sr. Doris Poettker, HSSF; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alvera Poettker, Ralph Netemeyer, Raymond Holtmann, Loretta and Calvin Schwend, Bill Spaeth, Ronald Huegen, Alice Toennies, and Clarence and Isabelle Holtmann.

Surviving are his children, Shirley (Leon) Langenhorst of St. Rose, Doris (Brandon) Phillips of Centralia, Ken (Terri) Poettker of Centralia, Sharon (Michael) Bacca of Orlando, FL, Deb Lake of Breese, Jerry (Laura) Poettker of St. Charles, MO, Dennis (friend Sandy Munro) Poettker of Mascoutah, and Lori Hankins of Breese; 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren; sisters, Dolores Netemeyer of Albers and Marie (Clarence) Plocher of Highland; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, David (Dot) Holtmann of New Baden, Adrian (Trudy) Toennies of Trenton, Mary Ann Spaeth of Trenton, Ruth Huegen of Trenton, and Adeline Holtmann of Germantown.

He was a Veteran of the United States Army, and at the beginning of his service he was in Company L 318 infantry A.P.O. #80 through November of 1945. Once he was in Nuremberg, he stood guard at the Nuremburg Trials while he was in Company L 26th infantry A.P.O #1 from December 1945-March 1946. Towards the end of his time in the war, he was in 144th Armored Signal Co. from March 1946-April 1946.

Cyril retired from Scott Air Force Base as a Medical Technician and he was also a dairy, grain and live stock farmer.

He was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese and Albers American Legion Post 1026.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 10:00 am at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Patrick Peter officiating. Interment will follow in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 4:00-8:00 pm and again on Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 8:00-9:45 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

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

Ray F. Becker 87 of Bartelso died Tuesday January 21, 2014 at S. Joseph Hospital in Breese.

He was born October 13, 1926 in Bartelso, to Henry and Cecilia (Jansen) Becker: they preceded him in death.

He married Sylvia Wolters October 8, 1952 at St. Francis Church in Aviston. She preceded him in death July 11, 1997.

Also preceded in death by a son Mark Becker, brothers Albert “Tossie” Becker, Bill Becker, a sister Mary Ann Rakers.

Surviving are his children Mike (Marilyn) Becker, Charlie (Karla) Becker, Ken (Donna) Becker, Randy Becker, Floyd Becker all of Bartelso.

6 grandchildren Scott Becker, Sarah (Kyle) Albers, Katie (friend Alex Gillispie) Becker, Lauren (Eric) Eversgerd, Aaron Becker, Jordan Becker. He was anticipating the arrival of his first great grandchild.

Siblings; Flo (Paul Dierkes of Germantown, Lucille (Frank) Kampwerth of Carlyle, Herman Becker of Bartelso, Don “Diesel” Becker of Bartelso, Barb (Bob) Robke of Germantown, Richard (Pat) Becker of Bartelso, Toni (George) Litzenburg of Carlyle.

Ray was owned and operated Becker Brothers Egg Co. in Germantown

Member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and was a Eucharistic minister, usher and funeral mass server. Knight of Columbus Council 4745, Bartelso, 50 year member of the Bishop Althoff 4th degree Assembly, Catholic War Veterans, American Legion Post 976, Bartelso, 109 Club, Bartelso.

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday January 25, 2014 at 10:00 am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. James Buerster officiating. Interment St. Cecilia Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday January 24 from 4 to 8 PM and Saturday January 25 from 8 to 9:45 am at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso.

Memorials can be made to St. Cecilia Catholic Church or Mater Dei High Scholl and will be received at the visitation or through Moss Funeral in Breese who is handling the arrangements.

David A. Wempe, 65, of Germantown, died Monday, January 20, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese.

Mr. Wempe was born August 9, 1948 in Breese to Virgil and Leanarda (Rosen) Wempe; they preceded him in death.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Braxton Wempe; and a sister-in-law, Dang Wempe.

He married Barb Albers on September 25, 1970, and they later divorced.

Surviving are his sons, Todd (Brenda) Wempe of Germantown, Keith (Jennifer) Wempe of Germantown, and Tim (Amanda) Wempe of Bartelso; 8 grandchildren, Tiffany Budde, Michael (Bethany) Monteiro, Zachary Wempe, Adam Budde, Michael (Annie) Strate, Camden and Griffen Wempe, and Isabella Wempe; 7 great-grandchildren, Skyley and Parker Budde, Corrine and Jacob Engelmann, Samuel and Ella Strate, and Alivia Monteiro; a brother, Virgil “Sonny” Wempe of Shreveport, LA; a sister, Mary (Henry “Red”) Hoerchler of Breese.

Dave retired as an Aircraft Mechanic from Scott Air Force Base and he was a Veteran of the United States Army.

He was a member of the Clinton County Vietnam Veterans 269 where he was a past president, Breese American Legion Post 252, and a former member of the Germantown Kernel Nut Club.

Funeral Prayer Service will be Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 11:30 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown with Fr. James Buerster officiating. Interment will follow at 1:00 pm at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 22, 2014 from 9:30-11:30 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

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

The Breese American Legion will hold services at 10:30 am and the Vietnam Veterans will visit at 11:00 am Wednesday morning at the funeral home.

Flora M. Henken, 99, of Breese, died Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Carlyle Healthcare Center, Carlyle, IL.

She was born in Greencreek, IL on February 17, 1914 to Henry Casper and Louisa (Stephany) Weirich. She grew up in Aviston and Germantown. In 1931 she married Arthur B. Henken and he preceded her in death.

Flora is survived by two sons, Arthur G. (Sylvia nee Heimann) Henken of Carlyle and Leland (Beverly nee Lea) Henken of Bluffton, SC; nine grandchildren, Mary Jo (Mark) Kratschmer, Betsy (Paul) Bacon, Kathy (Mikel) Huelsmann, Terese (Robert “Bob”) Kasson, A.J. (Carol) Henken, Joseph (Cindy) Henken, Heather (John) McDermott, Lindsey (Ryan) Watson, and Eric (Victoria) Henken; 18 great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Eleanor Henken of O’Fallon and June Gerhard of Maryville, TN.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; a daughter, Phyllis Henken who formerly lived in St. Louis, MO; and siblings, Viola, Joseph, Henry “Hank”, Lucille, Hilda, Mary, Anna, Louise, Francis, Gertrude, and Charles; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Antonia, Sr. Bernardi, Mary, Sr. Benna, Frances, Clara, Joseph, John, Sr. Jude, and George.

Flora became more or less deaf in her early twenties, but regained her ability to hear with hearing aids. With experience and training, she later formed the Henken Hearing Co. dedicated to fitting aids for sale and maintaining aids with repairs and batteries for Qualitone hearing aids.

She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church and Altar Sodality, was the past Treasurer of the Breese Senior Citizens, and was the last of the charter members of the Daughters of Isabella Precious Blood Circle 718.

Flora was blessed with many years of life, enjoying the society of people at the senior meal site, bingo, and bunko games with generous help and concern of friends and relatives. She would want to say thanks.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, January 23, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. Patrick Peter officiating. Interment will follow in St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 9:00-10:45 am at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to St. Dominic Church or to the Breese Senior Citizen Meal Site and will be received at church or through Moss Funeral Home in Breese who is in charge of the arrangements.