Obituaries

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.

Eugene B. “Pete” Lappe, 86, of Breese, died Friday, January 18, 2013 at Breese Nursing Home.

Mr. Lappe was born October 3, 1926 in Carlyle, IL to George and Catherine (Schoo) Lappe; they preceded him in death.

He married Edith “Edie” Frey on November 30, 1948 at St. John United Church of Christ in Breese; she preceded him in death on May 16, 2012.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was also preceded in death by; sisters, Irene Albat and Lorene Voland; brothers, Edward Lappe and Walter Lappe; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Edward Albat, Orbon Voland, Viola Lappe, Albert Mensing, Robert Isaak, and Lavern Lallman.

Surviving are his children, Jerry (Nancy) Lappe of Breese, Larry (Debora) Lappe of Portage Des Sioux, MO, Janice (Edward) Hemann of Breese, Tom (Sheila) Lappe of Huntley, and Shelly (John) Cooper of Breese; 11 Grandchildren, Aaron (Lindsey) Lappe, Chad (Val) Lappe, Nic (Angela) Lappe, Erik Hemann, Kristy Hemann, Kelly Hemann, Preston Lappe, Kendall Lappe, Connor Lappe, Courtney Schulte, and Kira Schulte; 5 great-grandchildren, Brevin, Griffin, Rhyan, and Anderson Lappe and Allysa Nance; sisters, Leona Lallman of Beckemeyer, Dolly Isaak of Breese, and Catherine (Ted) Woltering of Carlyle; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kenneth (Nora) Frey of Rancho Palo Verde, CA, Betty Mensing of O’Fallon, and Joyce (David) Beckemeyer of Beckemeyer.

Pete retired from the Roads and Grounds Department at Scott Air Force Base and along with his wife was the former owner of E & E Tavern in Breese.

Visitation will be Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 2:00-5:00 PM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

A private graveside memorial service will take place at St. John’s Cemetery, Breese, IL

Memorials can be made to St. John’s Cemetery or to the Leukemia Association and will be received at the funeral home.

Paul E. Pratt, 84, of New Baden, died Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at Clinton Manor in New Baden.

He was born May 13, 1928 in Sandoval to Clyde W. and Alta (Wood) Pratt; they preceded him in death.

Also preceded in death by a brother, Darrell Pratt; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Cleo Pratt, Walter Owens, Merle and Erna Rose Hassler.

He married Doris Hassler on July 27, 1952 at DePue Congregational Church in DePue, IL; she survives in New Baden.

Also surviving is a son, Paul W. (Vicki) Pratt Sr. of Newnan, GA; 2 grandchildren, Paul W. (Kristin) Pratt Jr. and Elizabeth Newton; 3 great grandchildren, Nicholas Pratt, Makenna and Mason Newton; a sister-in-law, Pearl Owens of Ohio, IL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul retired from Scott Air Force Base after 32 years with the 375 Civil Engineering Squadron Power Productions.

He was a member of New Baden Methodist Church and attended the First United Methodist Church in Trenton.

Funeral Service will be held Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 10:00 am at Moss Funeral Home in Trenton with Pastor Mike Rucker officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park, Centralia, IL.

Visitation will be Friday, January 18 from 6 to 8 PM and Saturday January 19 from 9 am to time of services at the Moss Funeral Home in Trenton.

Memorials can be made to New Baden Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Trenton or Heartland Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.

Dorothy M. Essenpreis, nee Rolfingsmeyer, 88, of Breese, died Monday, January 14, 2013 at Breese Nursing Home.

Mrs. Essenpreis was born February 14, 1924 in Breese to Arthur and Elda (Schroeder) Rolfingsmeyer; they preceded her in death.

She married James “Jim” Essenpreis on October 18, 1947 in St. Louis, MO; he preceded her in death on September 15, 2004.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a grandson, Gerad Essenpreis-Wellen.

Surviving are her children, Sandy (Jim Schrage) Essenpreis of Boulder and Dale (Helen) Essenpreis of Breese; 5 grandchildren, Angela Guellil, Craig Hoerchler, Brett Ann (Brian) Beer, Brad Essenpreis, and Luke Essenpreis; and 3 great-grandchildren, Jeanette and Sabrina Guellil and Paxton Beer.

Dorothy was a homemaker and a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Breese.

Funeral Services will be Thursday, January 17, 2013 at 9:00 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese with Rev. Gretchen Sterrett officiating. Interment will follow in St. John Cemetery, Breese.

Visitation will be Wednesday, January 16, 2013 from 5:00-8:00 PM and again on Thursday, January 17, 2013 from 8:00-9:00 AM at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials can be made to the St. John’s Cemetery and will be received at the funeral home.