Cecil "Cease" O. Loyet, age 79, of Quartzsite, Ariz., formerly of O'Fallon, Ill., born February 6, 1930 in Granite City, Ill., passed away July 1, 2009.

Cease graduated from Granite City High School, and after two years of college, enlisted in the US Army. He served as a corporal during the Korean Conflict. He married Lois Veigel on November 26, 1953 at St. Henry's Catholic Church, in Belleville, Ill. He retired from Granite City Steel and moved to Quartzsite, Ariz. in 1994. He was an Honorary Life Member and 4th degree Knight of Columbus, with Council 4239, member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, former member of Belleville Area Holzschnitzers Woodcarvers Club, devoted Boy Scout leader, and volunteer with O'Fallon Catholic Youth Organization. In Quartzsite, he was elected as city councilman, serving for nine years and was former Vice President of the Quartzsite Chamber of Commerce. Cease enjoyed being outdoors and working in his garden.

Cease was preceded in death by his parents Oscar J. Loyet and Cecilia, nee Becherer, Loyet, and his brother Wilbur Loyet.

He is survived by his wife Lois "Tiny" Loyet of Quartzsite, Ariz.; his children David (Carol) Loyet of Lebanon, Ill., Sandra Brangers of Louisville, Ken., Geralyn (Gregg) McKee of Festus, Mo., Mary Ann Bevirt of O'Fallon, Ill., and Joan Wilson of Quartzsite, Ariz., Carol (Tom) Rufner of Shiloh, Ill., and Celia (Robert) Cuddeback of Stanardsville, Va. Also surviving are grandchildren Joe, Elizabeth Ann, Mary Beth, Alex, Michael, Paul, Jennifer, Brian, John, Brandon, Tom, Jessica, Neal, Zachary, Timothy, Tyler and Ashley; two great-grandchildren Zane and Taylor; and his siblings Richard Loyet, Cecilia Seibert, Florence Moore, Tom Loyet; all of Granite City; and Bernadine Howell of Union, Mo.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to American Lung Association, 55 West Wacker Dr., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60601 or St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 625 St. Nicholas Dr., O'Fallon, IL 62269. Cease was honored with a Memorial Service at VFW Post 769, Quartzsite, Ariz. on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

Visitation: Friends may call from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2009, at St. Nicholas Catholic Church. The Knights of Columbus Coucil 4239 will conduct a Chalice Service at 9:00 a.m.

Funeral Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, July 11, 2009 at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, with Msgr. William Hitpas presiding. Burial of cremated remains, with military honors, will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery, rural O'Fallon.