Obituaries

Raymond J. “Ray” Beer, 88, of Germantown, died peacefully while surrounded by his family on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Countryside Manor in Aviston.

Mr. Beer was born February 22, 1924 in Germantown to Veronica (Schomaker) and George Beer, Sr.; they preceded him in death.

He married Marie Langenhorst on June 14, 1950 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown; she preceded him in death on November 24, 1996.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Elaine Thomas; a granddaughter, Mary Rose Thomas; a brother, Clarence Beer; a sister, Eleanor Wessling; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vince Wessling, David Jansen, Wilbert Langenhorst, Vincent Langenhorst, Sophia and Barney Pingsterhaus, Ben and Leona Langenhorst, Clarence “Johnny” Langenhorst, Lavern and Agnes Wobbe.

Surviving are his children, Ron (Dora) Beer of Aviston, Pat (Phil) Fulkerson of Breese, Donna (Jeff) Clark of Bartelso, Mary (Kevin) Essington of Germantown, and Colette (Joe) Langham of Keyesport; a son-in-law, Bill Thomas of Columbia; 20 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brothers, Walter (Carolyn) Beer of Germantown and George (JoAnn) Beer, Jr. of Iuka; a sister, Marilyn Jansen of Germantown; sisters-in-law, Florence Beer of Mascoutah, Bernadette Langenhorst of Germantown, and Dolores Langenhorst of Carlyle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ray retired after 30+ years as an Ice Cream Maker at Prairie Farms Dairy in O’Fallon.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown and he enjoyed playing cards and gardening.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, February 2, 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 1, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Saturday, February 2, 2013 from 8:00-9:30 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

Memorials can be made to St. Boniface Catholic Church or to Family Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.

William W. Harra, CMSGT U.S. Air Force, Ret., 73, of Trenton, died Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Clare Bridge of Carmel, Carmel, IN.

Mr. Harra was born April 29, 1939 in Kansas City, KS to Kenwood and Ollie (Allen) Harra; they preceded him in death.

He married Mary Sandra on July 29, 1961 in Kansas City, KS; she survives in Trenton, IL.

Also surviving is a daughter Angela (Jon) Hensley of Indianapolis, IN; 2 grandchildren, Austin William Hensley and Samantha Nicole Hensley; brothers, Keith Lee Harra of Lamar, MO and Terry (Faye) Harra of Grandview, MO; a sister, Una (George) Brzon of Prairie Village, KS.

William retired from Scott Air Force Base as a Chief Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force (1957-1989) and later worked as an Associate in the Men’s Department at JC Penny in Fairview Heights.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at 11:00 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton, IL. Interment will full military honors will take place in Trenton Cemetery, Trenton, IL.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 29, 2013 from 5:00-7:00 PM and again on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 from 9:00-11:00 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.

: Richard F. Ritzheimer, 81 of Trenton, died Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Howard Leslie Ranz, and by her sister Mary Ann Huelsmann Harmon.
Mrs. Ranz was born April 14, 1924, in Trenton, IL to the late Carl and Anna Dittmer Huelsmann. She was member of the Moose and lifetime member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary.
Surviving are her four daughters Charlotte Ranz (Michele Tavernise) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Janine Piburn (Roger) of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, Rebecca Rapp of Altamonte Springs, FL and Barbara Richardson (Ed) of Jacksonville, FL; a brother Charles “Chuck” Huelsmann (Dorothy) of Citrus Springs, FL; a sister Miriam Huelsmann of Trenton, IL; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Agnes W. “Aggie” Kreke, nee Huelsmann, 74, of Bartelso, died Sunday, January 20, 2013 at her residence.

Mrs. Kreke was born January 18, 1939 in Breese to Fred and Caroline (Eversgerd) Huelsmann; they preceded her in death.

Also preceded in death by a brother, Andrew Huelsmann; a sister, Johanna Rickhoff; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Raymond “Doc” Rickhoff, Victor Pingsterhaus, Frederick Kreke, Veronica Kreke, Frank “Bud” Kreke, Margaret and Frank Aug, and Catherine and Martin Sutterlin.

She married Joseph Kreke on June 19, 1970 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso; he survives in Bartelso.

Also surviving are her children, Donna (Ron “Hondo”) Gerdes and Patrick (Nikki) Kreke all of Bartelso; 5 grandchildren, Kelsey and Tanner Gerdes, Devin, Jaidyn, and Dawson Kreke; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Janice Huelsmann, Henry “Hank” (Dolores “Blondie”) Kreke, Rose Kreke, Cele Kreke all of Bartelso and Laura Pingsterhaus of Germantown; a special nephew and godson, John (Tammy) Rickhoff of Bartelso; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Aggie retired from the Belleville Shoe Factory and was a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church and Ladies Sodality, Friday Night Card Club, Bartelso Legion Post 976 Auxiliary, Bartelso Bowl Tuesday Night Ladies Bowling Team, and the Catholic Holy Family Society. She enjoyed playing cards, bingo, bowling, bus trips, and spending time with her grandchildren and attending their sporting events.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 2:00 PM at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. Henry Fischer officiating. Interment will follow in St. Cecilia Cemetery, Bartelso.

Visitation will be Tuesday, January 22, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

Memorials can be made to St. Cecilia Catholic Church or to the Bartelso Elementary School and will be received at the funeral home.

Wayne H. Wildhaber, 77, of Germantown, died Saturday, January 19, 2013.

He was born May 23, 1935 in Breese to the late Rose W. (Hermeling) and August G. Wildhaber, Sr.

Mr. Wildhaber retired as a Tech Sergeant from the United States Air Force after 20 years of service and two tours in Vietnam.

He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, January 25, 2013 at 10:00 am at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Fr. James Buerster officiating. Interment will follow in St. Boniface Cemetery, Germantown.

Visitation will be Thursday, January 24, 2013 from 5:30-7:30 pm and again on Friday, January 25, 2013 from 9:00-9:45 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

Memorials can be made to St. Boniface Cemetery and will be received at the funeral home.