Jul 3, 2014

Lela Ridgeway, age 80, born July 12, 1933 in Biloxi, Miss., passed away July 3, 2014 at Lebanon Care Center, Lebanon, Ill. Lela was born to Honora and Viola, nee Gaudet, Trahan in Biloxi, Miss., and she remained a lifelong resident of Biloxi until recently moving to Lebanon, Ill. She is survived by her two daughters; Vicky (Robert) Cole of...

Jun 30, 2014

CMSgt. Thomas Mason, USAF (retired), age 76, born April 10, 1938 in Maple Shade, N.J., passed away Monday, June 30, 2014, at Cedarhurst of Shiloh, surrounded by his children. Tom was an active member at Faith Family Church in Shiloh. He served over 21 years in the US Air Force, primarily in communications management and programming, retiring in 1981. For...

Jun 25, 2014

Richard T. "Rick" Gruchala, age 62, born June 25, 1952, passed away on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, at his home, in O'Fallon, Ill. Rick was a senior claims consultant for Allsup, Inc. He enjoyed golfing with his friends and family and telling his sons tall tales of his time on the open range. Rick grew up in St. Louis and...

Jun 17, 2014

Philip Parker "Butch" Elliott, age 66, of Troy, born February 28, 1948 in East St. Louis, to Theodore and Mary Alice, nee Parker, Elliott, passed away June 17, 2014 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Mo. A lifelong organic farmer, Butch operated the family farm "Nature's Way Farm," raising sheep and chickens, keeping bees, and growing organic vegetables. He was a...

Jun 16, 2014

Steven R. Sandheinrich, age 52, of O'Fallon, born March 15, 1962, passed away June 16, 2014 after a valiant fight against cancer. Steve wrote his own obituary; the following are his words: Steve attended St. Martins of Tours in Washington Park, St. Clare School in O'Fallon, St. Henry's Prep School in Belleville, College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minn.,...

Jun 16, 2014

Hubert H. Ahring, age 91, of O'Fallon, born October 7, 1922 in Blackjack, Illinois, died Monday, June 16, 2014 at Cedar Ridge Healthcare Center, Lebanon, Illinois. Mr. Ahring farmed north of O'Fallon until 1974, then worked at Locke Stove until his retirement in 1985. He was an active member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church, where he participated in the Men's...

Jun 13, 2014

MSgt. Theodore Zoska, Jr., USAF, retired, age 78, born in Chicago, the son of Polish immigrants, passed away June 13, 2014 at Barnes Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Zoska married a sweet Scottish lass, Patricia Ross, while stationed with the Air Force in Scotland. Their 56 years together brought them much joy and happiness. A Bronze Star Medal recipient, Ted...

May 29, 2014

Nancy Lee Ping, daughter of Ivan and Nancy Ann, nee Richardson, Ping, age 59, of O'Fallon, Ill., born May 9, 1955, passed away May 29, 2014 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, Ill. The eldest of six children, Nancy graduated from OTHS in 1973, and began working at the former Parkview Colonial Manor as a cook. She also worked at Keg Crate...

May 28, 2014

Betty Louise Shull, nee Schmidt, age 79, of O'Fallon, born August 13, 1934 in O'Fallon, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 28, 2014 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill. Betty was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. A graduate of OTHS in 1952, she worked as a cashier at Tomboy groceries in O'Fallon during the 1970's and 80's. She was...

May 16, 2014

Gervase Henry Rakers, age 83, of O'Fallon, born August 24, 1930 in Aviston, Ill., died May 16, 2014, as a result of a tragic accident while working in his workshop. Jerry was a self-taught musician and could play many different instruments. He served honorably in the US Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and was proud of his service. He...

May 15, 2014

Mason James Evansco, age 19 months, beloved son of Lydia Breanna O'Leary and Eric Michael Evansco, was born October 8, 2012 at Children's Hospital, in St. Louis, Mo. He passed away Thursday morning, May 15, 2014, at Children's Hospital, St. Louis, Mo., with his loving family surrounding him. Mason was full of life and although born with heart ailments, he...

May 2, 2014

Florence Azile Altrogge, nee Dean, age 104, passed away on Friday May 2, 2014 at the Cedar Ridge Rehab & Health Center, Lebanon, Ill. Azile was born July 1, 1909 on a farm in Audrain County, Mo., the seventh of eight children of Anna F. Dean, nee Metcalfe, and Charles Henry Dean. She graduated with the last class at McMillan...

Apr 25, 2014

Raymond C. Christopher, age 62, of O'Fallon, Ill., born June 28, 1951 in Belleville, Ill., died April 25, 2014 at his home. Ray grew up in O'Fallon, graduated from Althoff Catholic High School and SIUE. A lifelong train enthusiast, he previously worked at St Louis Museum of Transportation and spent the next 28 years employed at Memorial Hospital, most recently...

Apr 10, 2014

Ronald J. "Coog" Hillen, age 75, lifelong resident of O'Fallon, Ill., born September 26, 1938 in O'Fallon, died Thursday morning, April 10, 2014 at Cedar Ridge Health Care Center, Lebanon, with his children Angie and Darrin at his side. Ron grew up in O'Fallon and graduated from OTHS in 1956. He served in the US Army military police in the...

Apr 9, 2014

David Lee Ashmann, age 81, of Caseyville, Ill., born September 17, 1932 in Collinsville, Ill., passed away Wednesday morning, April 9, 2014 at his home. David grew up in Collinsville and had retired as a train engineer from Norfolk & Western. He was a Navy veteran of the Korean Conflict. He owned and operated Ashmann Excavating, in Collinsville for over...

Apr 4, 2014

Rose Marie Williams, nee Smith, age 77, of Shiloh, born October 16, 1936 in Belleville, Ill., passed away Friday morning, April 4, 2014 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Rose grew up in O'Fallon, graduated from OTHS Class of 1954, and attended dePaul School of Nursing in St. Louis and worked as a nurse in...

Mar 31, 2014

Phyllis Ruth Aydt, age 75, resident of Cedarhurst of Shiloh, formerly of O'Fallon, born February 3, 1939 in Hamilton County, Ill., died Monday, March 31, 2014 following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Ms. Aydt was an elementary school teacher in Cahokia public schools from 1961 until her retirement. She was a long-time volunteer at Christian Activity Center...

Mar 29, 2014

Maurice E. "Skip" Keniley, 81, of O'Fallon, born December 22, 1932 in East St. Louis, died March 29, 2014 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.

Skip was employed for nearly 40 years with Mobil Oil in Joliet. He was an Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in Suwon, South Korea and was a member of...

Mar 29, 2014

Charles E. McEvoy, age 100, of O'Fallon, Ill., formerly of Sunland, Calif., born November 28, 1913 in Osgoode Station, Ontario, Canada, passed away at home on March 29, 2014, surrounded by his loved ones.

Recognizing his ability to play a good game of pool, his father encouraged him as a teenager to use this skill to earn money. He...

Mar 22, 2014

Bernice W. "Bern" Bostick, nee Wildhaber, age 92, of O'Fallon, Ill., born July 14, 1921 in St. Louis, Mo., passed away Saturday morning, March 22, 2014.

Bernice was born and raised in St. Louis, attended Rosati-Kain High School, graduated from Harris Teacher's College, and later earned her graduate degree from St. Louis University. She served in the...