William Bill England

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.

Sources:
William Bill England’s obituary at Schrader

  • I am assuming that William served in the military due to the flag on his obituary that signifies service

Richard “Ike” Eichenberger

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.

Sources:

Richard Ike Eichenberger obituary at Hutchens Funeral Homes 

Charles Leroy Harper

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.

Sources:

Charles Leroy Harper obituary at Monarch Cremation 

John Keith Vernier

John Vernier, a 62 year old Registered Nurse at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis died of COVID-19 on January 12, 2021.

John was retired from the US Navy where he served for 21 years on submarines and served during Operation Desert Storm. After retiring from the military, John went back to school for his RN degree, and took a few classes with his daughter Christine who was also in nursing school. John had a true helper’s heart and was always there at any time for his family, friends, and coworkers.He had three daughters with his wife of 37 years, and LOVED being a grandpa. John was looking forward to retiring from his second career and enjoying more family time.

John Vernier is missed deeply by his wife, his father and step-mother, his three daughters, grandkids, coworkers at Mercy South Hospital, and everyone whose lives he ever helped make brighter.

Sources:

John Vernier obituary at Kutis Funeral Homes 

Jason Moss

Jason Moss died from complications of COVID-19 on January 20, 2021 at the age of 52. His body had cleared the coronavirus, but could not recover from the devastating effects of the disease. It was up and down for a long time, with 49 days on ECMO and almost two months on a ventilator. He fought hard but suffered from two strokes in his brain, and his body shut down for the last time.

Jason grew up in Collinsville IL, traveled the world in the Navy, then came back to St. Louis and graduated from St. Louis University with a bachelor’s degree. He most recently worked administration and analysis for a local hospital. His pride and joy of his life was his three sons, triplets, born in 2005. He was a Boy Scout Leader and poured his heart into being the best father in the world.

Jason Moss is missed deeply by his teenage sons, his wife, parents, family and everyone fortunate enough to know him.

Sources:

Clarence Davis Sr

  • Clarence Davis Sr St. Louis COVID-19 veteran death
  • St. Louis WWII COVID-19 veteran death, Clarence Davis Sr.

Clarence Davis Sr., a World War II veteran, died from complications of COVID-19 at St. Louis University Hospital on November 20, 2020 at the age of 97.

During World War II, Clarence served in the U.S. Navy, achieving the rank of Carpenters Mate Second Class; he was among the first Black enlisted men to attain this designation. He was also a Freemason, a Boy Scout Leader, and an active member of the VFW. After WWII, Clarence worked a variety of jobs before retiring from the Records Management Department at Monsanto. He always loved carpentry, and was known and respected for his skill across St. Louis City and County. Clarence also loved gardening (especially roses), watching baseball, bowling, and keeping active with church activities (St. Johns Church). He was a devoted husband and father, and contributed to the development of countless children and teenagers in the community.

Clarence Davis Sr. is missed deeply by his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, extended family, church family, and those in the St. Louis community fortunate enough to know him.

Sources:

Clarence Davis Sr. obituary at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, Kirkwood MO 

Lawrence F. Pranger

Lawrence Pranger Vietnam Vet COVID-19 death

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.

Sources:

Lawrence Pranger obituary at Crawford Funeral Homes 

Donald E. Lavin

WWII Veteran Don Lavin COVID-19 death

Donald “Don” Lavin died of COVID-19 on December 21, 2020 at the age of 94.

Don was raised in North St. Louis and served in the Navy on the USS Borie at the end of World War II. After being honorably discharged, Don completed his studies at St. Louis University and married the love of his life. They raised three children and grew stronger together after the tragic death of their youngest child to heart disease. While Don prioritized his family and faith, his accomplished career in the automotive industry spanned more than forty years, the last thirty-two of which he spent at Chrysler. He was known for his limitless capacity for kindness, his laughter, his epic story telling, fierce poker playing, and driving tennis opponents to insanity with his notorious lob. He was devastated when his wife passed in 2015 after 64 years of marriage.

Donald’s obituary states: “Don was 94 years old when he contracted Covid and passed on less than one week later. Despite that hospital restrictions prevented his family from visiting his bedside, his dedicated nurses, Chuck and Lexi, arranged Zoom calls that allowed his family to bid their final farewells. His memory as an unparalleled role model looms large among his relatives who miss him dearly. They wish to offer a special thanks to Dr. James Hollis, the staff at the Covid Unit at Mercy Hospital and the loving caretakers at The Glen at Aberdeen, especially Don’s “personal trainer” Maria.”

Don is missed deeply by his two surviving adult children, his grandkids, extended family and many friends.

Sources:


Donald Lavin obituary at Buckholz Mortuary
 

Thomas J. Martin Jr.

Thomas Martin Jr. of Lonedell in Franklin County MO died of COVID-19 on December 12, 2020 at the age of 74.

Tom grew up in St. Louis County and joined the Army right after Highschool during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, Tom started as a salesman for a food distribution business. He worked his way up, while raising a three kids with his wife, and eventually managed several food distributorships. Tom loved his faith and took joy in all kinds of outdoors activities, whether hunting, fishing, hiking or just mowing his yard. Most of all, Tom loved his kids and his grandkids, and took lots of pride in being a wonderful husband and father. He was a lifelong Republican and avid watcher of Fox News.

Thomas J. Martin Jr. is missed deeply by his wife of 42 years his kids, grandkids, extended family and circle of friends.

Sources:


Thomas J. Martin Jr. obituary at Russell Colonial Funeral Home
 

Gregory J. Warnecke

Gregory J. Warnecke of Belleville, Illinois died of COVID-19 on December 31, 2020, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital at the age of 90.

Greg would make handtools and decorative pieces out of wood as a child growing up in Clinton County. After he finished serving in the United States Army Security Agency, he went to work as cabinetmaker with the Markus Cabinet Company, before switching to working on residential and commercial projects. Greg’s love of woodworking was possibly only exceeded by his love for his wife, who he recently celebrated 58 years of marriage with in May 2020. In retirement, Greg liked traveling, fishing, spending time with family, but he continued his passion for woodworking through designing and building furniture for his home and for St. Mary’s Church in Belleville. His craftsmanship can be seen on the “refurbished sacristy cabinets, both the Easter candle and Advent wreath stands, credence table, and extensive restoration of our Pieta statue and the figures in our Christmas Creche, to name a few.”

Gregory J. Warnecke is missed deeply by his wife, three children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, friends, and church-family.

Sources:

Gregory J. Warnecke obituary at Dignity Memorial 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/409446999120898/permalink/3768973059834925/

John H. “Jack” Doerr

Jack Doerr COVID-19 death

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.

Sources:


John H. “Jack” Doerr obituary at St. Louis Cremation
 

Kenneth Ray McCuistion

Kenneth McCuiston St. Louis COVID-19 death

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.

Sources:

Kenneth R. McCuiston’s obituary at Hutchens Funeral Homes 

Frank Frederick Graser

Frank Frederick Graser COVID-19 death

Frank Frederick Graser of Bethalto IL died of COVID-19 on December 9, 2020 at the age of 90.

Frank served in the US Navy from 1947 to 1951. When he got discharged he married (his beloved wife passed in 2002), raised his two sons, and worked for McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing) starting as an A&P Mechanic for 30 years. Frank had a huge variety of interests and was involved in many activities, causes, and organizations throughout his life. He coached Little League Baseball, was a Scout Master, a member of the Bunker Hill Knife Club, Mississippi Garden Club, the Illinois Chapter of the National Audubon Society, and a regular volunteer at the Two Rivers Wildlife Refuge. He was also an active member in the Bethalto United Methodist Church and in retirement enjoyed Monday morning coffee with his “knife brothers”. Frank was proud of his boys and loved being a grandpa.

Frank Frederick Graser is missed deeply by his two sons, his grandkids, ten great-grandchildren, and a huge extended family and many friends.

Sources:
Frank F. Graser obituary at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home
 

Joseph C. Budde

WWII veteran Joseph C. Budde died of COVID-19 on December 9, 2020 at the age of 96.

WWII veteran Joseph C. Budde died of COVID-19 on December 9, 2020 at the age of 96.

Joseph served in the Army Air Corps in WWII flying 35 missions in Europe, including the days leading up to D-Day, followed by another 60 missions in Asia. After the war, he got a degree in electrical engineering from St. Louis University and worked at Sverdrup and Parcel Engineers and Architects for the next 35 years while he and his wife raised their two children. Joseph and his late wife were longtime parishioners at Our Lady of Providence in Crestwood.

Joseph C. Budde is missed deeply by his children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, and everyone who was fortunate to know him.

Sources:


Joseph C. Budde obituary at Kutis Funeral Homes
 

James P. Mannion Jr.

James P. Mannion Jr. died on December 3rd, 2020 in his home after a short battle with COVID-19 at the age of 90.

Jim served two years overseas in The Navy in Japan during the Korean War. He ended up getting his JD from St. Louis University Law School after obtaining his undergrad at the University of Notre Dame. He ultimately specialized in labor relations and worked his way up to partner at Bryan, Cave, McPheters, and McRoberts, retiring in 1990.

More than his accomplished career, James loved his family. His first wife’s untimely death from cancer left him raising their four young children alone, but in 1978 James found love again in Kathleen, blending their families into a happy chaos of 8 kids. Jim had a “profound” love of reading and history, which he passed on to his kids. Jim and Kathleen traveled widely and he got to explore book stores and follow his passion for history all over the world.

As stated in his obituary: “Jim was loved by all who met and knew him. He was noted for his ever-present smile, his gentle, kind, and caring manner, and his love of telling stories from his childhood. He was a shining example of bravery and kindness to the end and always thanked his many caregivers and family helpers throughout his illness. His memory and lust for life will be cherished forever.”

James P. Mannion Jr. is missed profoundly by Kathleen, his seven surviving kids, rand kids, great grandkids, many friends and extended family.

Sources:

James P. Mannion Jr. obituary at Lupton Chapel