Obituaries

Jerome A. “Jerry” Kurz, 74, of Belleville and formerly of Trenton, IL died Monday, March 25, 2013 at his residence.

Mr. Kurz was born July 9, 1938 in Highland, IL to Herbert and Bernice (Brefeld) Kurz; they preceded him in death.

He married Betty Phillips in 1987 at Peace Lutheran Church in Belleville; she also preceded him in death.

Surviving are his daughters, Stacey (Marc) Mahat and Robin (Clay) Smith all of Maryville; 3 grandchildren, Landon Mahat and Layne and Holden Smith; and a brother, David Kurz of Trenton.

Jerry retired from sales and was of the Catholic Faith.

All services private.

Memorials can be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church and will be received at the funeral home.

Kyle P. Holthaus, 32, of Breese and formerly of Bartelso, died Saturday, March 23 in St. Rose Township, IL.

Mr. Holthaus was born October 14, 1980 in Breese to Julius and Kathleen “Toots” (Winkeler) Holthaus; they survive in Bartelso.

He married Leticia “Lilly” Ortiz on September 24, 2011 in Germantown; she survives in Breese.

In addition to his parents and wife he is also survived by his daughter, Maddi; a step-daughter, Alyssa; sisters, Lauri Holthaus, Michelle (Mike) Beer, and Heather Holthaus all of Bartelso; maternal grandmother, Josephine (Mensing) Winkeler of Breese; nieces and nephews, Braden and Sadie, and Macie and Logan; mother-in-law, Leanne Reed of Belleville; father-in-law, Enrique Ortiz of Park City, MT; brother-in-law Nicholas Ortiz; and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert “Bobby” Holthaus, maternal grandfather, Rudy Winkeler; and paternal grandparents, Louis and Celia (Kampwerth) Holthaus.

Kyle worked as a truck mechanic and was a member of St. Cecilia Church and a summer volleyball league.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. Henry Fischer officiating.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 26, 2013 from 4:00-8:00 PM and again on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 from 11:00 AM-1:30 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Germantown.

Memorials can be made to his daughter’s education fund and will be received at the funeral home.

Jo Michelle Soini 53 of Trenton died Friday March 8, 2013 at her residence.

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.