Obituaries

Jean R. Monken, nee Herman, 82 of Highland and formerly of Summerfield, died Thursday, March 7, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.

Mrs. Monken was born September 13, 1930 in Highland to Maurice and Henrietta Herman; they preceded her in death.

She married Clyde Monken in Arkansas and he preceded her in death on August 14, 2009.

Also preceded in death by a son Stanley Monken, and brothers, Ralph and Harold Herman.

Surviving is a son Myron Monken of New Orleans, LA and a grandson, Michael Monken of Trenton.

There will be no services and a private interment will take place in College Hills, Cemetery.

Memorials can be made to the donor’s choice and will be received through Moss Funeral Home in Trenton who is in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Winton Grills, 62, of Germantown, died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at his residence.

Mr. Grills was born July 1, 1950 in Centralia to Bert and Merle (Curdt) Grills; they preceded him in death.

Also preceded in death by his grandparents, August and Bertha Curdt.

He is survived by his children, Mary Moss of Salem, Mark Johnson of Carlyle, Louise Logan of Okawville, and Amber Gerrish of Carlyle; 2 grandchildren; sisters, Linda Samuels of Germantown, Tina Ergle of Louisiana, and Pat; and an aunt, Hazel Edwards of Carlyle.

Donny was a truck driver.

Cremation was held and there will be no services.

Memorials can be made to Clinton County Relay for Life and will be received through Moss Funeral Home in Germantown who is in charge of the arrangements.

Viola W. “Vi” Ottensmeier, nee Rensing, 88, of Trenton, died Sunday, March 3, 2013 at Trenton Village, Trenton, IL.

Mrs. Ottensmeier was born December 6, 1924 in New Baden to Bernard and Mary (Roedler) Rensing; they preceded her in death.

She married Joseph Ottensmeier on October 17, 1951 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden; he preceded her in death on April 1, 2008.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by sisters, Corrine Feldmann, Loretta Varel, and Marie Rensing; brothers, Joseph Rensing, Ben Rensing, Herman Rensing, and Elmer Rensing; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ray Feldmann, Frank Varel, Leona Rensing, Eugenia Rensing, Lorene Rensing, Verena Rensing, Clara Brandmeyer, Francis Ottensmeier, Helen Ottensmeier, Sally Ottensmeier, and Mary Ottensmeier; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Herman and Mary (Stoff) Ottensmeier.

Surviving are her children, Robert (Sue) Ottensmeier of Trenton, Mary Jo (Dale) Richter of Aviston, Marjorie Ottensmeier of Aviston, Nancy (Brian) Freivogel, and Richard and (Donna) Ottensmeier; 9 grandchildren, Kris (Jeremy) Shubert, Amy (Brian) Haar, Beth and Ryan Richter, Joshua and Adam Freivogel, Elizabeth Horstmann, Jordan and Rachel Ottensmeier; 3 great-grandchildren, Mason and Mallory Shubert, and Bryce Haar; a brother, Emil Rensing; and sisters-in-law, Ella Rensing and Margaret Ottensmeier.

Viola was a homemaker and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church and Altar Sodality.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Trenton with Fr. Joseph Rascher officiating. Interment will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Trenton.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 5, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 pm and again on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 from 8:00-9:30 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

Memorials can be made to St. Mary’s Church Altar Sodality, Heartland Hospice, or to Juvenile Diabetes and will be received at the funeral home.

Ernie graduated from Morrisonville High School in 1940 and attended Shurtleff College in Alton, IL for a short time before beginning work at Laclede Steel in Alton, IL. He enlisted in the Marine Corps at the start of WWII, and served in the Pacific Campaign until his honorable discharge with a rank of Corporal in 1945.

He married Alma Rose Millburg, his high school sweetheart, on October 11, 1945. Ernie then began a career as a grocer and butcher, owning a number of grocery stores throughout southern Illinois, before retiring in 1984. His last store was Ernie’s Market in Pocahontas.

He was a member of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Breese.

Ernie was preceded in death by his parents, Oberto and Adele (Monetti) Menietti; his wife Alma, who died September 2, 2002; a brother, Dominic Menietti; and a grandson , Michael John Menietti.

Surviving are his children, Michael (Emily) Menietti of Valrico, FL, Douglas (Stephanie) Menietti of Iowa City, IA, Judith (Jim) Allard of Lake, MI, Anna (Terry) Davis of Webster Groves, MO, Allen (Darlene) Menietti of Breese, IL, Bonnie (Carl) Dasenbrock of Auburn, GA, and William (Lori) Menietti of Citrus Springs, FL; 18 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson.

Darby L. Skibinski, 53, of Sparta and formerly of Summerfield, died Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at her residence.

Alfred H “Al’ Molitor, 92, of Germantown, died Tuesday, February 20, 2013 at Aviston Countryside Manor.
Mr. Molitor was born October 22, 1920 in Germantown a son of Henry and Caroline (Lampe) Molitor; they preceded him in death.
He married Frances Hilmes on May 5, 1947 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown; she preceded him in death January 11, 2006.
Also preceded in death by brothers, Paul, Aloys “Ollie”, and Joseph Molitor; sisters, Hilda Kuhl and Sr. M Lauretta PHJC “Alfreda”, brothers-in-law, Edward Kuhl, Alvin Boeckmann, Phillip Walsh, Erwin Lampe, Lawrence “Boop” Hilmes, Clarence “Stix” Hilmes, Greg Hilmes and Joseph Hilmes; and sisters-in-law, Mary Molitor, Joey Molitor, Amanda Molitor, Henrietta Hilmes, Veronica Boeckmann, and Florence Hilmes.
Surviving are sons, Marvin (Jane) Molitor of Germantown and Dennis (Diana) Molitor of Troy; 5 Grandchildren-Jennifer (Christian) Jundt, Carl Molitor, and Pamela (Tim) Elliott , Michael (Nicole) Molitor, and Ben (Julie) Molitor;5 Great-Grandchildren-Austin and Haley Jundt, and Kyle and Maddie Molitor, and Matthew Elliott; a brother, Elmer Molitor of Collinsville; sisters Dolores (Erwin) Lampe of St. Louis and Chris (Phil) Walsh of Ballwin, MO; and sisters-in-law, Arlene Hilmes of Beaver Prairie, and Lynn Hilmes of Highland.
Al was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, St Henry’s Men’s Society and Mater Dei Fathers and Friends club. He also served many years as the scoutmaster for troop 273 in Germantown.
Al worked most of his life as a laborer at Peerless Enamel in Belleville, but his main love was farming. He worked the family farm until it was sold in 1978 and since, loved to show off his peonies, rhubarb, blackberries, and pecan crops that flourished in his yard.
Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 23, 2013 at 10:00 AM 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 Friday, February 22, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Saturday, February 23, 2013 from 8:00-9:30 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.
Memorials can be made to St. Boniface Cemetery or to the St. Boniface Clock Fund and will be received at the funeral home.