James (Jim) Allen Shupe died of COVID-19 and sepsis on January 14, 2021 at St. Louis Mercy Hospital at the age of 79. Jim spent many happy years after his retirement from Seven Up fishing on his dream house’s lake in Cedar Valley.
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William “Bill” England died from complications of COVID-19 while suffering from Alzheimer’s on December 29, 2020 at the age of 82. After serving in the military*, Bill was a graphic designer who worked for Maritz Motivation, Koplar Communication, and retired from Argosy Gaming.
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William Bill England’s obituary at Schrader
Richard “Ike” Eichenberger died from complications of COVID-19 on December 23, 2020 at the age of 76.
Ike had a lifelong career in music, and served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War as Acting Commander of the American Division Band in Chu Lai, South Vietnam. He was a music educator for over forty years in Orchard Farm, St. Charles, and Ferguson-Florissant school districts and at Fontbonne College, Lindenwood University and Meramec Community College. Ike was a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, performer, mentor and teacher throughout his life. He and his first wife Mary were an amazing musical team. They had no children and welcomed their students into their hearts and home. Mary passed away, and in 2017 Ike remarried and was immediately loved by his wife’s adult children and grandchildren.
Ike is missed by his widow, step children, thousands of former students, and the countless people whose lives he touched.
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Richard Ike Eichenberger obituary at Hutchens Funeral Homes
Carolyn Frances Purzner, formerly of Washington MO, died from complications of COVID-19 on January 14, 2021, in St. Louis at the age of 82. Carolyn was a survivor of esophageal cancer and macular degeneration.
Carolyn had no children of her own, and poured her love into her vocation as an Registered Nurse. She was a graduate of Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing in 1959 and worked in St. Louis and then Dallas for many years. She moved back to St. Louis to care for her older siblings who were experiencing health problems. She’s remembered as being “the favorite aunt” and was always a nonjudgmental listening ear to vent to or for good advice.
In keeping with her sense of commitment to service and medicine and a strong family history of Alzheimer’s, Carolyn donated her brain to Alzheimer’s research.
Carolyn Purzner is missed deeply by 18 of 22 nieces and nephews, and 42 great- and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
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Sue Harley, born Alvina Louise Allgeyer, died of COVID-19 on January 25, 2021 in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 84. Sue moved to St. Louis in 2008 where she lived at Gambrill Gardens.
Sue raised three kids with her late husband. After they were grown and out of the house, she fulfilled her dream of graduating from college. She continued to work at Cincinnati State College for 16 more years until retirement.
Sue Harley is missed by her two living sons, grandkids, family and extended family and friends.
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Charles Harper of Perryville, MO died at Barnes Jewish Hospital of COVID-19 at the age of 81 on February 13, 2021.
Charles was a veteran having served in the Illinois National Guard, and married three times. He is remembered as being a “rolling stone” and “restless soul”. He had many careers and adventures, most notably in the mining industry working as far away as Columbia South America. He gained his Commercial Drivers License at the age when most people are retired (at age 69) and worked as an over-the-road truck-driver which he only stopped doing because he became incapacted with COVID-19.
Charles Harper is missed by his wife, an ex-wife, six children, grand-kids, extended family, and the many friends he made during his adventurous life.
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Ronnie Lee Lattimore of Edwardsville passed away December 13, 2020 at the age of 81 after a hard-fought battle with Covid-19.
Ronnie retired from his career at Amoco in Wood River and was enjoying retirement with his wife of 63 years. He loved making wood carvings, eating breakfast at Denny’s with his friends, and also stayed an active member of Troy/Collinsville Church of Christ.
Tragically for his family, Ronnie’s little brother James passed 8 days later (cause of death not available).
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Kathleen “Kitty” M. Becker (nee Hamlin), of Ballwin, MO, died after a courageous battle with cancer and COVID-19 on January 28, 2021 at the age of 84.
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Walter Allen Klein Jr. died from complications of COVID-19 on January 19, 2021 at the age of 80. He joined the Army Reserves as a corporal and operated two insurance agencies for over 50 years.
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Betty Joan Green passed away in Washington MO, losing her battle with COVID-19, on January 9, 2021 at the age of 79.
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Gary Bader passed away January 26th, 2021 of COVID-19 at the age of 75. He was a U.S. Army veteran.
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Lawrence “Larry” Pranger, of Jerseyville IL, passed away on December 29, 2020 at Jersey Community Hospital from complications related to COVID-19 at the age of 82.
Larry attended Illinois State University and was drafted to serve in the Army during the Vietnam War. He married the love of his life while on leave the day after Christmas in 1961. Larry worked for Shell Oil Company in Jerseyville as he and his wife Mary Ann raised their four kids. He was a gifted coach and regularly led youth teams at St. Francis Xavier School to championships in track, baseball, football, and basketball. He and his late wife also took very active roles in raising their grandkids and helping out in their parish, attending mass every Saturday night.
Lawrence Pranger is missed deeply by his kids, grandkids, extended family, friends and all who knew him.
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Sharon Kay Wylder (nee Lobstein) of Carlyle Illinois died from complications of COVID-19 on December 29, 2020 at the age of 78.
Sharon grew up in East St. Louis, Illinois attended St. Teresa’s Academy and graduated from St. John’s School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse. As a nurse, she cared for everyone from nursing home residents to newborns. Sharon raised her five kids with her late husband, and loved it when she was able to retire and spend more time with her grand kids.
Sharon Wylder is missed deeply by her sister and three brothers, five adult kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family and circle of friends.
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Talmage Dwain Hillman of Godfrey IL died of COVID-19 on December 16, 2020 at the age of 75. His final message before he died was “wear a mask, the life you save may not be your own.”
Tal spent his life helping people live better lives through his work with the developmentally disabled at Bellefontaine Habilitation Center. He’s remembered for the way he lifted everyone up, helping employees he managed to reach their potential as they helped the residents they worked with. After retiring in 2013, Tal stayed in touch with his old coworkers, finally had time to golf more, and loved live shows and Cardinals games. Lately he had started to forget things and moved into an assisted living facility, but he “remembered two current things: Covid & he hated Trump.” Tal was still madly in love with his wife of 54 years and they were able to Facetime together before he passed.
Talmage Hillman is missed deeply by his wife, two daughters, son, grandchildren, extended family, huge circle of friends, and the many lives he touched through his long career of helping people with developmental disabilities live their best lives.
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Richard “Dick” Mintzlaff died of COVID-19 on November 11, 2020 at the age of 77.
Dick worked with the St. Louis ARC for over 25 years, was an avid participant in community theater and Renaissance Faires, and did his best to live by his morals. He was also very active at his church (Zion Lutheran Church in Maryland Heights) writing Sunday school curriculum, singing in the choir, serving as an elder, and helping out in countless other ways. He would give the shirt off his back to help someone in need, and he’s remembered as being inclusive and welcoming to new people in his social and work spheres. Dic loved being a husband to his late wife and a father to his two girls more than anything.
Richard Mintzlaff is missed deeply by his two daughters, family, all the people at the St. Louis ARC whose lives he made brighter, his church family, huge social circles in the Renaissance Faires and St. Louis community theatre groups.
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William “Bill” French lost his fight with COVID-19 on December 20, 2020 at the age of 77.
In 1977 Bill founded Wm French Buyers Real Estate Services, Inc., a comprehensive relocation service that focused solely on the buyers’ interests with a relocation plan tailored specifically to their needs. It was, at the time, the first and only buyers-only model agency in the country, and grew to be the largest. Bill worked tirelessly to grow the business as he and his wife raised their two sons. He was a passionate advocate and volunteer for the Independence Center, served on the Board of Directors for 8 years, and never missed an opportunity to assist in furthering the organization’s mission to holistically help those with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
Bill French is missed deeply by his wife (the love of his life), two adult sons, grandchildren, employees, huge circle of friends and colleagues, those whose lives he touched through his volunteer efforts with the Independence Center, and the countless people whose lives he brightened while on this earth.
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Jimmie Allen Palmer of Collinsville, IL died December 16, 2020 at Mercy Hospital from COVID-19 related complications at the age of 79.
Jimmie was a retired carpenter millwright, enjoying retirement with his wife of 62 years. He loved nothing more than a good bargain, and was a daily visitor to Pawn King in Collinsville. Jimmie was also passionate about classic cars (especially his blue Challenger), playing golf, spending time with his family, and laughing. He coached his four kids’ baseball and sports and had a blast being a father, and even more fun being a granddad and great granddad.
Jimmie Palmer is missed deeply by his wife, kids, grandchildren, great grandchildren, extended family, friends, and by his dog Gracie.
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John (“Jack”) Doerr of Kirkwood died after a brief battle with COVID-19 on November 27, 2020 at the age of 83.
After serving in the Army as a cook, Jack met his wife at a VW rally in Webster Groves and they raised their two daughters in Kirkwood. Jack worked as a self employed general contractor until he retired, and was living at Friendship Village Sunset Hills for the last few years of his life.
Jack Doerr is missed deeply by his wife of 59 years, his surviving daughter, grand kids, extended family and friends.
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Kenneth “Ken” Ray McCuiston died of COVID-19 on December 10th at the age of 75 after a short battle with the virus.
Ken served in the Navy during Vietnam and had a daughter who preceded him in death several years ago. He worked as a printer at PrintPack for over 30 years. Ken’s life had many challenges, but he was very much loved by his tight circle of friends and family and he is remembered for having a good heart.
Ken Ray McCuiston is deeply missed by his sister and brother in law whom he was very close with, and by the staff at Delmar Gardens.
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Helen S. Clark died November 26 from complications of COVID-19 and congestive heart failure at the age of 82.
She graduated from St. Louis City Hospital’s School of Nursing in 1959 and went on to have a long career in nursing, staying involved in the alumni association after retiring. Helen raised her two daughters with her late husband and loved being a grandma. She supported various nonprofits, read voraciously, and played a good game of checkers. Before COVID-19 hit, she was a daily regular at Miss Sheri’s Cafeteria in South County.
Helen Sydow Clark is missed deeply by her two daughters, step sons, grandkids, extended family, and all those who were fortunate to know her.
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Leroy Huskamp of Fairmont City IL died of COVID-19 on November 22 at Granite City Nursing and Rehabilitation at the age of 84.
Leroy is remembered for being a congenial conversationalist who never met a stranger and who could make anyone smile. He loved to go fishing and to spend time with his family.
Leroy Huskamp is missed by his wife, adult children, grandkids, and extended family.
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