Obituaries

David L. Huff, 83, of Trenton, died Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at his home.

Mr. Huff was born October 29, 1930 in Bloomington, IL to Wilson P. and Leah (Toedte) Huff; they preceded him in death.

Also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Courtney Armer; a brother, Warren Huff; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emil and Gertrude (Schmidt) Riethmaier; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Carl Fairand, Erwin and Ann Riethmaier, Gertrude and Pete Peifer, and Edmund and Masi Riethmaier.

He married Dorothy Riethmaier on September 3, 1950 in E. St. Louis, IL; she survives in Trenton.

In addition to his wife, he is also survived by his children, David W. (Rose) Huff of Beckemeyer, Emil Huff of Trenton, Debra (Kurt) Klein of New Baden, and Henry (Julia) Huff of New Baden; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and was anticipating the births of his 17th and 18th great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Mary Jo Fairand; and numerous nieces and nephews.

David worked in Maintenance at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville where he retired in 1995, he also worked as Trenton Police Officer, and was a veteran of the United States Air Force serving from 1949-1953.

He was a member of Grace Community Baptist Church in Trenton, Trenton American Legion Post 778, Laborers Local-100 in E. St. Louis, and the National Rifle Association.

Memorial Service will be Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Grace Community Baptist Church in Trenton with Alan Zurliene and Pastor Bob Marsh officiating.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 11:00 am-1:00 pm at Grace Community Baptist Church in Trenton.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received at the church or through Moss Funeral Home in Trenton who is in charge of the arrangements.

Clara M. Emig, nee Luitjohan, 93, of Trenton, died Sunday, December 29, 2013 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville.

Mrs. Emig was born September 29, 1920 in Aviston to Frank and Agnes (Stoff) Luitjohan; they preceded her in death.

She married Gualberd Emig on November 27, 1946 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Highland; he preceded her in death on May 23, 2013.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a son, Karl Emig; sisters, Anna Spihlmann and Agnes Goebel; brothers, Francis Luitjohan, Al Luitjohan, John Luitjohan, and Joe Luitjohan; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray Spihlmann, Lawrence Goebel, Darlene Luitjohan, Vince Horstmann, Lloyd Warnecke, Maynard Zobrist, Allan Frey, Ralph “Rudy” Brandmeyer, Oliver and Bernadine Emig, Wilfred Emig, Marie and Aloysius Helldoerfer, Severin and Marie Emig.

Surviving are her children, Eileen (Robert) Stein of Mascoutah, Gilbert (Margie) Emig of Trenton, Linda (Gerry) Richter of Aviston, Karin (Wayne) Marti of Highland, Donna (Stan Kalmer) Emig of Mascoutah, Debra (Jim) Koerkenmeier of Carlyle, and Ronald (Karla) Emig of Mascoutah; 19 grandchildren, Shelley (Robert) Middendorff, Bruce Stein, Tonya (Nick) Sandheinrich, Natalie Bumann, Doug (Angie) Stein, Colby (Becky) Emig, Jared (Lisa) Emig, Tara Richter, Shawna (Matt) Ryerson, Lane (Clara) Richter, Apryl Marti, Philip (Alexi) Marti, Gary (Shannon) Funk, Amy (friend Matt Bertrand) Funk, Clint (Mendy) Koerkenmeier, Travis (Whitney) Koerkenmeier, Derrick (friend Rachel Hobbs) Koerkenmeier, Rachel (Andrew) Brinkmeier, and Justin Emig; 27 great-grandchildren and was anticipating the births of her 28th and 29th great-grandchildren; sisters and brothers, Marie Horstmann of Highland, Rita Warnecke of Highland, Dolores Zobrist of Highland, Millie Frey of Pierron, Pat Brandmeyer of Albers, Jane (Pete) Korte of Highland, and Paul (Mary Ann) Luitjohan of Highland; sisters-in-law, Alvina Luitjohan of Albers, Frances Luitjohan of Grantfork, Alice Luitjohan of Albers, and Regina Emig of Bartelso; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Clara was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Altar Sodality in Trenton , and Trenton VFW Post 7983 Auxiliary.

Memorial Mass will be Thursday, January 2, 2014 at 11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Trenton with Fr. Joseph Rascher and Fr. Elmar Mauer officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Trenton.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 2, 2014 from 8:30-11:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Trenton.

Memorials can be made to Clinton County Relay for Life or to Family Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.

Emily V. Brown, 31, of St, Louis, MO and formerly of Breese, died Friday, December 27, 2013 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Ms. Brown was born February 11, 1982 in Breese and she is survived by her mother and step-father, Lee “Fritzi” (nee Voudrie) and Dru Bain of Belleville; her father, David W. Brown of Pierron; a sister, Elizabeth Brown of Trenton; a brother, Troy Brown of Chicago; and her partner, Stephanie Blum of St. Louis.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 1:00 pm at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton . Interment will follow in Summerfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 10:00 am-1:00 pm at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

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

Susan M. “Sue” Laux, nee Merian, 68, of Breese, died Friday, December 27, 2013 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Mrs. Laux was born February 1, 1945 in Breese to Marie (Pollmann) Merian-Gebke and Raymond Merian; they preceded her in death.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a sister in infancy, Mary Jane Merian; a brother, Lawrence Merian; a sister-in-law, Bernice Hellige; and a brother-in-law, Laverne Laux.

She married Burnell “Rookie” Laux on November 11, 1964 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese and he survives in Breese.

Also surviving are her children, Robyn (David) Snearley of Newton, Terry Wainscott of Breese, Christopher (Bobbie) Laux of Belleville, and Katie (Tavis) Lovell of Edgewood, KY; 6 grandchildren, Marcus (Crystal) Snearley, Nikole Snearley, Zak Snearley, Cody Wainscott, Austin Laux, and Lillian Lovell; a great-grandson, Isaac Snearley; a brother, Raymond “Butch” (Dorothy) Merian of Breese; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Marcella (Ralph) Ashcroft of Pana, Laura Laux of Breese, and Richard (Peggy) Hellige of Breese; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Sue retired as an Administrative Assistant after 32 years from the Clinton County Electric Co-op in Breese and was formerly on the Zoning Board for the City of Breese.

She was a member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese. Sue enjoyed playing cards and bingo, and was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan where she attended numerous games.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, December 31, 2013 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 in Breese.

Visitation will be Monday, December 30, 2013 from 5:00-8:00 pm and again on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 from 9:00-10:30 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

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

Patricia M. “Pat” Spihlman 73 of Trenton died Friday December 27, 2013 at Breese Nursing Home.

She was born September 20, 1940 in Breese to Walter and Leona (Zurliene) Richter: they preceded her in death.

She married Paul Spihlman July 4, 1960 at St. Augustine Church, Breese and he preceded her in death September 29, 2006.

Also preceded in death by brothers-in-law Jim Spihlman, Andrew “Red” Drees. Ed Rodgers

Surviving are her children Cheryl (Todd) Whitaker of Trenton, Steve (Kathy) Spihlman of Trenton, Diane (Dean) Mitts of Swansea, Mike (Patty) Spihlman of Valparaiso, IN

8 grandchildren Cory (Leah) Whitaker, Kelsey Whitaker, Andrea Spihlman, Joseph Spihlman, Alison Mitts, Rachel Mitts, Abigail Spihlman, Julia Spihlman

2 great grandchildren Nora and Grayson Whitaker

Sisters-in-law Florence Drees of Breese, Bernida Rodgers of Garvin OK, Shirley Spihlman of Trenton.

Pat retired from the Wesclin School District where she was a school bus driver for 26 years.

Member of St. Mary Catholic Church and Altar Sodality, Clinton County Homemakers Extension.

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday December 31, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. Mary Catholic Church, Trenton. Fr. Joseph Rascher officiating. Interment St. Mary Cemetery, Trenton.

Visitation will be Monday December 30 from 4 to 8 PM and Tuesday December 31 from 8 to 9:45 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton

Memorials can be made to America Diabetes Association and will be received at the funeral home

Esther R. Stevenson 96 of Jamestown died Friday December 27, 2013 at Breese Nursing Home.

She was born January 10, 1917 in Pierron to C. Elliott and Helen (Wagner) Gruenenfelder. They preceded her in death.

She married Charles F. Stevenson December 14, 1936 in Alton and he preceded her in death September 27, 1980.

Also preceded in death by a daughter Betty Lou Clymens, sons-in-law James Liening, Tom Katusich

Surviving are her children Dennis (Kate) Stevenson of Breese, Kenny (Janice) Stevenson of Pocahontas, Larry (Marie) Stevenson of Breese, Charlotte Liening of Jamestown, Charlene (John) Grapperhaus of Highland, Charles (Peggy) Stevenson of Breese, Sandy (Richard) Peters of Germantown, Jane (Mike) Koehler of Beckemeyer.

19 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Brothers Paul (Ethel) Gruenenfelder of KY, Bob Gruenenfelder of AZ.

Esther was a homemaker.

Funeral service Monday December 30 2013 at 2:00 PM at Moss Funeral home in Breese with Deacon Rich Bagby officiating. Interment Calvary Cemetery, Pierron.

Visitation will be Monday December 30 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be received at the funeral home.