Elizabeth Mae Klingelhoefer, nee Poignee, age 85, lifelong resident of O'Fallon, Ill., born December 19, 1925, in O'Fallon, just down the street from her longtime current home, passed away following a brief illness on Monday morning, August 29, 2011 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Betty was retired from O'Fallon District 90, where she had worked as a secretary at Marie Schaefer School. Betty truly loved her community and was a current member of the O'Fallon Historical Society and the Historic Preservation Commission. She was a lifelong parishioner at St. Clare Catholic Church where she was active in Altar Sodality, Seniors' Group, and the O'Fallon Knights of Columbus Auxiliary. She was a member of American Legion Auxiliary, O'Fallon Woman's Club, Inc., O'Fallon Senior Citizens, and AARP Fairview Heights Chapter 3643. To celebrate Betty's love of her community, memorial donations are suggested to any local, hometown organization that she supported.

She was preceded in death by her husband John C. Klingelhoefer, whom she married November 25, 1948 at St. Clare Catholic Church and who passed away May 26, 1990; parents Carl and Leona, nee Munie, Poignee; and her sister-in-law Betty Poignee.

Surviving are her loving daughter, Susan (Bruce) Arnold; grandchildren Chelsea and Blake Arnold, brother Robert Poignee, nephew Jeff (Lisa) Poignee, all of O'Fallon, and niece, Annette Oren of Shiloh and her beloved dog, Pepper.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at St. Clare Catholic Church. The O'Fallon Sr. Citizens will conduct a walk-through at 6:30 pm.

Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, September 1, 2011 at the church with Rev. Jim Deiters presiding. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.