Thomas R. Kozma
Thomas R. Kozma, 92, of Columbia, died Nov. 14, 2018, in Belleville.
Visitation was Nov. 19, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia.
Committal services followed at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights.

Casper A. Beelman Jr.

Casper A. Beelman Jr., 87, of Waterloo, died Nov. 17, 2018, in St. Louis. 

He was born May 19, 1931, in Belleville, son of the late Casper A. Sr. and Teresa Beelman (nee Wesselman).

He was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Waterloo, Waterloo Odd Fellows and Waterloo Country Club. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and he retired from Solutia/Monsanto.

He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Beelman (nee Schmitt); children John P. (Pamela A. nee Scheibe) Beelman and Susie (John) Clark; grandchildren Maggie (Keith) Sosebee, Mitch (Sarah) Clark, Dr. Ryan T. (Aryn) Beelman and Todd M. Beelman; great-grandchild Declan Sosebee; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Casper was preceded in death by his parents; sister Mary Jane Trefzer and brothers Elmer Beelman and Alvin Beelman.

Visitation is 8:30-10:30 a.m. Nov. 23, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Nov. 23, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Waterloo, Father Osang Idagbo C.M. officiating.

Interment will follow at the church cemetery, Waterloo.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions in the form of Masses at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Waterloo.

Wilbur E. Gummersheimer

Wilbur E. Gummersheimer, 90, of Columbia, died Nov. 15, 2018 at Oak Hill, Waterloo. 

He was born Jan. 20, 1928, in Columbia, son of the late Henry and Hulda Gummersheimer (nee Wink). 

He married the late Gladys Gummersheimer (nee Schultheis) on Jan. 13, 1951, in Waterloo; she preceded him in death on March 26, 2015.

Wilbur was a lifelong Columbia area farmer. He served in the U.S. Army Ready Reserve during the Korean War.

He was a member of St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, and American Legion Post 581. 

He was a past board member of the Fountain Water District, and past manager of C&W Co-op, having received awards from both organizations for his work and dedication.

Surviving are three sons, Alan (Rita) Gummersheimer of Evansville, Glen Gummersheimer of Columbia and Merl Gummersheimer of Columbia; two daughters, Gail (Timothy) Frierdich of Waterloo and Jana (Jeffrey) Deutch of Ellisville, Mo.; grandchildren Jeremy, Angie, Rachele, Andrew, Jesse, Christina, Kaitlyn and Carly; great-grandchildren Emmett, Elliott, Maddie, Gabe, Isaiah, Owen, Paige, Andrew and Lucy; along with other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother Marvin (Allene) Gummersheimer.

Visitation was Nov. 19-20, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia, Pastor Keith McDevitt officiating. 

Interment followed at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Paul United Church of Christ in Columbia, Parkinson’s Foundation or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Wilbur I. “Chris” Christopher, Jr., 96, of Waterloo, died Nov. 14, 2018, in Waterloo. 

He was born Aug. 12, 1922, in St. Louis, son of the late Wilbur I. Sr. and Florence Isabel Christopher (nee Sanguinet).

His career was in health care management through hospital administration, teaching hospital administration at both Saint Louis University and Washington University, and as a nationally known consultant in the field. 

His lifetime reflects upon two published textbooks and more than 150 published articles on the subject. He was a pioneer in the field of extended teaching through lectures on a variety of subjects pertaining to health care institutional management. 

He is survived by his children Nancy Diane (Tim Morrison) Christopher, Mark Stephen (Catherine) Christopher and Brian Thomas (Tina) Christopher; three grandchildren, Coral, Bethany and Anna Christopher; sister Aline (Jim) Lynch; best friend Roseann Duffy; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

Wilbur was preceded in death by his parents, wife Anna Estelle Christopher (nee Riley), sisters Florence Lucile Dernoncourt and Alice Kotler and brother Robert Marshall.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic School Building Fund or Waterloo Lion’s Club.

Thomas D. Nagel

Thomas D. Nagel, 57, of Villa Ridge, Mo., died Nov. 12, 2018. 

He was born Feb. 27, 1961, in Red Bud, son of the late Delbert Nagel and his wife Rosemary (nee Frisch) of Waterloo.

On Sept. 28, 2002, he was united in marriage to Robin Johansen in St. Louis; she survives him. 

He received his education from Gibault Catholic High School. Thomas was employed at DAP Foam in Pacific, Mo.

Among his survivors are his wife, Robin Nagel of Villa Ridge, Mo.; mother Rosemary Nagel of Waterloo; two sons, Dustin Nagel and fiancé Megan Dudley of Prairie du Rocher and Daniel Nagel of Waterloo; step-daughter Nikita Harvey of Washington, Mo.; two sisters, Liz and husband John Jelks of Waterloo, and Linda and husband Randy Veit of Millstadt; two brothers, Jim Nagel and wife Karen of Waterloo and John Nagel and wife Cynthia of St. Charles, Mo.; grandchildren, Skylar Nagel, Donovan Uncapher, Elizabeth Uncapher, Cameron Uncapher and Amberlynn Marion; along with nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Delbert Nagel.

A visitation and funeral services were Nov. 16-17, at Nieburg-Vitt,Thiebes Funeral Home, Washington, Mo. 

Interment followed at Sunset Cemetery, Pacific, Mo.

Layla Michelle Gross

Scott and Laura Gross of Waterloo announce the birth of their daughter, Layla Michelle Gross.

She was born Oct. 3, 2018, at 8:08 p.m., at Mercy Hospital, St. Louis. She weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces, and was 19.25 inches long.

She has one older brother, Carter, 2.

Stella R. Laugesen

Stella R. Laugesen (nee Davis), 90, of Waterloo, died Nov. 25, 2018, in Waterloo. 

She was born Aug. 24, 1928, in Blanco, N.M., daughter of the late Ramona (nee Valencia) Worley.

She was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church.

She is survived by her children James Glynn and Stephen Glynn; grandchildren Andrew (Katie) Glynn, Rachel (Scott) Knoechel, Molly (Tim) Stegink, Benjamin Glynn, Jimmy Glynn, and Rebekah Glynn; 16 great grandchildren; sister Louise Riella; stepdaughter Fay (Fritz) Michaelis; and stepgrandson Tony Trurelli.

Stella was preceded in death by her mother, first husband Jack DeChristopher, second husband Silas Glynn, third husband Leon Laugesen and sister Jeannie Rothacher.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Nov. 28, and noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 29, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Nov. 29, at the funeral home, Pastor Tony Troup officiating.

Interment will follow at Ridgewood Memorial Park, Des Plaines.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to Heart of God Ministries.

Curtis Bob Hayden

Curtis Bob Hayden, 76, of Lebanon, Mo., formerly of Columbia, died Nov. 16, 2018, at Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas.  

He was born July 5, 1942 in East St. Louis, son of  the late Everett and Josephine Hayden (nee Karwoski).  

Curt is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 55 years, Jean Hayden (nee Eschmann). 

Curt graduated from Columbia High School in 1961 and retired from Union Electric, Bagnell Dam at Lake of the Ozarks.  

Curt enjoyed hunting, fishing, square dancing and spending time with his grandson, teaching him how to fish.

Curt is survived by his daughter Michele (Stan) Dobnikar of Divide, Colo.; son Matt (Vera Stockman) Hayden of Imperial, Mo.; grandson Hayden Dobnikar; siblings Pat (Elaine) Hayden of Florissant, Colo. and Debbie (Kevin) Hart of Columbia; sisters-in-law Janet Schaffer of Summerfield, Fla., and Jill (James) Harres of Columbia; brother-in-law Earl (Rhonda) Eschmann of Arnold, Mo.; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

Curt was preceded in death by his parents, his mother- and father-in-law Earl and Mary Jane Eschmann, sister and brother-in-law Barbara (Freeman) Ramsey, and brothers-in-law John Lepp and James Schaffer.

A celebration of Curt’s life is planned for Dec. 9, at 1 p.m. at 11 South, Columbia.  

In lieu of flowers the family requests, with gratitude, that memorial contributions be directed to the American Heart Association. 

Dale E. Kostner
Dale E. Kostner, 80, of Waterloo, died Nov. 24, 2018, in Waterloo.
Visitation was 4-8 p.m. Nov. 29, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo, and 9-10 a.m. Nov. 30, at Concord Presbyterian Church PCA.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Nov. 30, at Concord Presbyterian Church PCA, Waterloo, Pastor Will Hesterberg and Pastor Andrew Cheatham officiating.
Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park, St. Louis.

Kristen Mary Row
Kristen Mary Row, 48, of Columbia, died Nov. 24, 2018, Columbia.
A celebration of life will be 1-4 p.m. Dec. 1, at 530 Covington Dr., Waterloo.

Julianna Gregory

Jessica and Josh Gregory announce the birth of their daughter, Julianna Gregory.

She was born Oct. 10, 2018, at 1:25 p.m., at Mercy South. She weighed 8 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 21.75 inches long.

She has three brothers, Jakson, Jase and Jagger. 

Her grandparents are Greg and Dawn Gregory, Dave and Pat Senf, and Julie and Sherman Alexander.

Mildred Ruth Jensen

Colby and Lauren Jensen of Waterloo are happy to announce the birth of their daughter Mildred Ruth Jensen. 

She was born Sept. 20, 2018, at 9:23 a.m. at Mercy, St. Louis. She weighed 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 19 inches long. 

She was welcomed home by her big sister, Mabel Louise.

Her maternal grandparents are Robert and Tara Schulmeister of Waterloo. Paternal grandparents are Tonia and Roger Wallace of Elberton, Ga., and Tom Jensen of Waterloo.

Her maternal great-grandfather is Ray Rippelmeyer of Waterloo. Her paternal great-grandmother is Barbara Youngs of Columbus, Ga.

Walter W. Remiger

Walter W. Remiger, 89, of Waterloo, died Dec. 4, 2018, in Waterloo. 

He was born Feb. 26, 1929, in St. Louis, son of the late August and Louise Remiger (nee Wesloh).

Walter was a member of Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Waterloo.

He is survived by  his wife Rosemary Remiger (nee Ceola); children Dennis Remiger, Debbie (Joe) Sander, Linda (Tom) Bruce and Cheryl (Neal) Willging; grandchildren Carolyn Bruce, Jessica (Daniel) Strabley, Jonathan (Amanda) Sander, Matthew (Megan) Bruce and Brittany (Kevin) Seats; great-grandchildren Emmalyn, Addelyn, Ellie, Jack, Avery, Olivia and Harper; brothers Ray (Mary) Remiger and Edward (Betty) Remiger; brother-in-law Kenneth (Kathy) Ceola; and nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Dolores (Joseph) Head and Irene (Fred) Salmo.

Visitation is 9:30-10:30 a.m. Dec. 6, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Waterloo.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. at the church, Father Osang Idagbo C.M. officiating.

Interment will follow at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery, Waterloo.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church.

Charles “Butch” Klein

Charles J. “Butch” Klein Sr., 73, of Columbia, died Dec. 3, 2018. 

He was born Dec. 12, 1944, in East St. Louis, son of the late Arnold and Vera Klein (nee Kropp). 

He married the former Alice Pretto March 2, 1965, in Columbia; she survives him. 

Butch was a lifelong Columbia-area farmer. He had previously owned and operated CBK, Inc., a river barge tankering and repair business.

In addition to his wife, Butch is survived by his son John (Jacqueline) Klein Jr. of Smithton; daughter Marsha Klein of Columbia; grandchildren Elizabeth Klein of Columbia, C.J. Klein III of Columbia and Juliana (Joseph) Schaefer of Millstadt; sister Karen (Paul) Looney of Sarasota, Fla.; along with other relatives and friends.

He was also preceded in death by his son, Daniel C. Klein.

Visitation is 9:30-11:30 a.m. Dec. 6, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia. 

Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 6, at the funeral home, Rev. Matthew Friz officiating. 

Interment will follow at Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia. 

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO, 63110. 

Veronica I. Karn
Veronica I. Karn (nee Gillam), 82, of Waterloo, died Dec. 1, 2018, in Waterloo.
Visitation was Dec. 3-4, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.
Funeral services were Dec. 4, at First Baptist Church of Waterloo, Pastor Steve Neill officiating.
Interment followed at Kolmer Memorial Cemetery, Waterloo.

Virgie Bell Anderson
Virgie Bell Anderson, 90, of St. Louis, died Dec. 1, 2018, at Mercy South, St. Louis.
Visitation and funeral services were Dec. 4, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, Pastor Darrell Jones officiating.
Interment followed at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis.

Robert L. Sprague
Robert L. Sprague, 75, of Waterloo, formerly of Cahokia, died Dec. 3, 2018, in Belleville.
A visitation to celebrate his life will from 2-5 p.m. Dec. 8, at Quernheim Funeral Home.

Ronetta “Ronny” Denbow
Ronetta “Ronny” L. Denbow, 47, of Columbia, died Nov. 16, 2018, in Columbia.
Visitation and funeral services were Nov. 20-21 at Braun Family Funeral Home, Columbia.
Interment followed at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights.

David William Grimm
David William Grimm, 81, of Dupo, died Nov. 17, 2018, at Saint Louis University Hospital, St. Louis.
Visitation and funeral services were Nov. 19, at Leesman Funeral Home, Dupo, with Reverend Doris Edwards officiating. 

Jesse W. Moll
Jesse W. Moll, 37, of Red Bud, died Dec. 4, 2018, in Waterloo.
There will be a memorial visitation from 5-7 p.m. Dec. 7, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

Audrey E. Jahr
Audrey E. Jahr, 90, of Columbia, died Dec. 4, 2018, in St. Louis.
Memorial services will be held at a later date at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia.

Rose Mary Piantanida

Rose Mary Piantanida (nee Peskar), 88, of Millstadt, died Dec. 8, 2018, at Oak Hill Care Center, Waterloo. 

She was born Dec. 2, 1930, in East Saint Louis, daughter of the late Frederick Peskar and Rosalie Luksza Peskar.

During her working years, Rose Mary worked as an office assistant for Drs. Szewczyk, Szewczyk & Basinski in Belleville, and at Gossard-Artemis in Millstadt. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Surviving are two sons, Paul (Nancy) Piantanida and Robert Piantanida; four daughters, Brigette (Mark) Wittenborn, Suzette (William “Bill”) Weldon, Lizette (Scott) Poston and Annette (Tony) Tajkarimi; three sisters, Patricia Seidl, Janet (Richard “Dick”) Boyle and Cecilia “Cece” (Brian) Weir; sister-in-Law, Virginia McMillian; four grandsons, Adam Piantanida, Phillip Poston, Kaivon Tajkarimi and Sam Weldon; three granddaughters, Tiffany (Dan) Zeller, Stephanie Piantanida and Serena Tajkarimi; step-granddaughter, Holly Robbins; step-granddaughter, Jamie (Matthew) Sodko; two great-grandchildren, Vanessa Zeller and Cameron Zeller; three step-great grandchildren, Brendan Sodko, Brier Sodko and Addison Robbins; along with many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul “Sonny” E. Piantanida; parents; sister, Elizabeth “Betty” Szewczyk; father- and mother-in-law, Edward and Ann Piantanida; and brothers- and sisters-in-law, Frank Seidl, Dr. Edward Szewczyk, Mary Ann (Edward) Goetz and Ken McMillian. 

Visitation and a funeral Mass were Dec. 11-12, at St. James Catholic Church, Millstadt, Monsignor Marvin Volk officiating. 

Interment followed at Mt. Evergreen Cemetery, Millstadt. 

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. James Catholic Church, Millstadt.

Zane Louis Berner

Zane Louis Berner, 21, of Waterloo, died Dec. 6, 2018, in Dupo. 

He was born Sept. 24, 1997, in Red Bud, son of Russell Louis and Christina Berner (nee Ledbetter).

Zane was a graduate of Waterloo High School.

He is survived by his parents; grandparents Jim and Linda Ellerman and Alfred Louis Berner; uncles Jessy Ledbetter and Ken Berner; girlfriend Heather Evans; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother Brenda Ledbetter.

A memorial visitation is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 15, at Quernheim Funeral Home, Waterloo.

A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. Dec. 15, at the funeral home.

As an expression of sympathy, make memorial contributions to the family.

Kurt L. Jehling

Kurt L. Jehling, 66, of Columbia, died Dec. 6, 2018, at his residence. 

He was born July 2, 1952, in East Saint Louis, son of the Bertha Jehling (nee Eckert) of Columbia and the late Eugene J. Jehling.

He married Angela Jehling (nee Janson) on May 10, 1983, in Columbia; she survives him.

Kurt was retired from Koerber Distributing, Waterloo.

Also surviving are his son, Jesse (Sarah) Jehling of Columbia; mother; father- and mother-in-law, James and June Janson of Columbia; brother-in-law, Brett (Ami) Janson of Peoria; and other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and brother-in-law Scott Janson.

A celebration of Kurt’s life was Dec. 9, at Tiny’s Pub and Grill, Columbia.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Toys for Tots Foundation (18251 Quantico Gateway Drive, Triangle, VA 22172) or Shriner’s Hospital for Children (4400 Clayton Ave., St. Louis, MO 63110). 

Dennis William Boo

Dennis William Boo Sr., 76, of Cullowhee, N.C., passed away peacefully surrounded by family Nov. 14, 2018 at Duke University Hospital after a long battle with multiple myeloma.

He was born June 24, 1942, in Belleville, son of the late Frank W. Boo and Leona Offermann of Columbia. 

He graduated in 1960 from Winter Park High School, Winter Park, Fla. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1960-1963. He continued his education, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with honors from the University of Florida in 1970.

Upon his graduation, he became a Certified Public Accountant and joined the public accounting firm of Arthur Young and Co. in Orlando, Fla. He concentrated on healthcare during his time in public accounting and ultimately became a hospital administrator working in Rockledge, Fla., Tampa, Fla., and Charlotte, N.C.

Dennis retired in 2004 and moved to Cullowhee, N.C., in his present home, nicknamed Rainrock. Doing all the work themselves, Dennis and his wife, Alicia, only recently completed a full renovation of Rainrock. This project became a full-time hobby during his retirement and was among his favorite things to do. 

In addition, Dennis enjoyed the water, especially sailing, as well as rides in his beloved 1971 Jeep CJ5, day trips in the Carolina mountains, volunteering his time, collecting model trains and stamp boxes, watching Gators football, and spending time with extended family and friends.

Dennis was a great role model and a tireless worker, with uncompromising principles and a sensitive heart. He was confident, humble and selfless. He made significant differences in the lives of his family, friends and colleagues, and he took great joy in the successes of others. He was always willing to lend a hand, provide support or encouragement and offer advice or wisdom.

He was a devoted father and husband, and he regularly expressed his love and adoration for his family. He cherished spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren. 

Dennis is survived by his wife of 53 years, Alicia Deans; his children, Dennelle (Jack) Brown, of Asheville, N.C. and Dennis (Stacey) Boo Jr., of Winter Park, Fla.; his grandchildren, John, Carter and Caroline; and his brother, Gary Boo of Columbia. 

He was predeceased by his parents.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Dec. 22, at Cullowhee United Methodist Church (416 Central Dr., Cullowhee, N.C. 28723), Reverend David Reeves officiating.

The care of Mr. Boo was entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes. An online memorial register is available at WellsFuneralHome.com. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Dennis William Boo Sr. to the Duke Cancer Institute in support of multiple myeloma research. Checks may be written to Duke Cancer Institute with Dennis’ name in the memo (Duke Cancer Development, 710 W. Main St., Suite 200, Durham, NC 27701).

Sylvester E. Kleinschmidt

Sylvester E. Kleinschmidt, 92, of Millstadt, died Dec. 16, 2018, in Millstadt. 

He was born Feb. 18, 1926, in Sugarloaf Township, son of the late William and Charlotte Kleinschmidt (nee Oerter). 

He married the former Hilma Stemler on Sept. 10, 1950, in Columbia; she survives him.

Sylvester was a lifelong Millstadt area farmer, having been born, raised and died on the same farm. He operated a trucking company as his second job over the years. 

Sylvester belonged to the local Model A Car Club, Bluff Grange and St. Clair County Farm Bureau. He dearly loved his John Deere tractors.

Also surviving are his daughter, Diane (Don) Flowers of Millstadt; two sons, Dennis (Diana) Kleinschmidt of Millstadt and Jeff (Kelly) Kleinschmidt of Columbia; grandchildren Daniel (Megan) Flowers, Jarred (Shannon) Flowers, Lauren (Eric) Darr, Michael (Holly Mayberry) Kleinschmidt, Brittany (Curtis) Mericle, Nicholas (Katie) Kleinschmidt, Brianna (Christopher) Guilfoy, T.J. (Laura) Weber, Grant Kleinschmidt and Ben Kleinschmidt; nine great-grandchildren; sister, Edna Kalbfleisch; and other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Harold Kleinschmidt and William Kleinschmidt; and two sisters, Alberta Dahm and Mabel Carron.

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Dec. 19, at Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, and 10-10:45 a.m. Dec. 20, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Columbia.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Dec. 20, at the church,  Pastor Bob Goddard officiating. 

Interment will follow in the Holy Cross (Kleinschmidt) Lutheran Cemetery, Millstadt. 

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to St. Paul United Church of Christ (127 N. St. Paul, Columbia, IL 62236).