William “Bill” C. Robertson of Fosterburg, Illinois died from COVID-19 on September 9, 2020 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was 88 years old and left behind his wife and soulmate of 64 years.
Bill was an Airforce veteran and worked at Albrecht Hamlin Chevrolet until he retired in 1996. At work, he was a team player, helping others and mentoring. Bill was an active member of Fosterburg Baptist Church for the last 56 years, serving as Deacon and Trustee. He also taught Sunday school and vacation bible school, and always had candy to give to the kids.
Bill C. Roberts is deeply missed by his wife Virginia, their son and daughter, grand-kids, and great-grandkids. His church family misses him terribly.
Billie “Jack” McDermott of Bethalto Illinois died of COVID-19 after a lengthy battle with the virus on September 4, 2020 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was 81.
Billie proudly served our country in the National Guard and retired from Laclede Steel (now Alton Steel) after 42 years as an electrician. He was a member of the United Steel Workers Union and served as a shop steward for many years. He was a lifetime Democrat and a member of various Church of Christ churches. Especially in his retirement, Billie enjoyed watching his grandsons in their sports, spending time at Lake of the Ozarks, fishing, family pets, and watching old westerns.
Billie McDermott is missed deeply by his wife of 59 years, his two children, grandchildren, family, extended family and all his friends.
Margaret Mary Hellrich (nicknamed Meaux) died from complications of COVID-19 and “general health issues” on August 28, 2020 at Stearns Nursing Home in Granite City, IL. She was 58 years old and also suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s.
Although born with Down’s Syndrome, Margaret’s family loved and fully supported her so she was able to live a fulfilling life, traveling overseas to Europe and Australia and all around the country. She was very involved with the Catholic Church throughout her entire life, advanced through Special Education, and found employment and even more friends at the Sheltered Workshop. Margaret loved music, dancing, animals, camping trips, and leopard print clothes. Her special friend of 30+ years was Pete, who would take two different busses to visit her as much as possible until the nursing home locked down for COVID.
Margaret Mary Hellrich is deeply missed by her lifelong friend Pete, her sisters and brothers, friends from the sheltered workshop, church family, and all the friends she made at Stearns Nursing Home and in her life. She always had a warm smile and was a loving spirit who brought out the best in everyone.
Paul “Randy” Tite of Brighton, Illinois died from Covid-19 on September 9, 2020 at Alton Memorial Hospital. He was 74 years old.
Randy worked as a laborer for Labor Local #338 in Wood River and raised three kids with his wife Brenda, who he married right after high-school in 1964. He was a star pitcher on softball leagues and loved fishing. According to his obituary, “Randy was an avid softball player and was inducted to the USA Softball Hall of Fame, MVP in 1975, and he made the All Star Team several times.”
Randy is missed deeply by his his wife Brenda, his son and two daughters, extended family, union brothers, friends from playing softball, and all his friends and community.
Mary Ellen Roarty died from complications of COVID-19 on April 14, 2020. She was 90 years old and living at Garden Place Senior Living In Columbia, IL. Mary and her husband Joe raised their family in Belleville, IL, where they owned Joe’s Bonafide Service Station.
She always had a smile on her face and she loved laughing, long hugs, and the St. Louis Cardinals. Her family was her greatest joy and she was incredibly proud of all of her grandchildren and great children. Mary was also proud of her Irish Heritage and for almost 70 years led her family in celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
When Joe passed (several years ago), Mary moved from their home to Garden Place Senior Living. They were supposed to move in together, but he passed away before the move. Although she was heartbroken from the loss of her husband of 69 years, she embraced her new home. Mary made many friends and was loved by the staff. She became part of the Garden Place Gals singing group and performed the National Anthem at a Grizzlies baseball game.
Mary Roarty is greatly missed by her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They find comfort knowing that she is with her soulmate in heaven. Her family misses her so much, but know she and grandpa are near whenever they see a pair of cardinals.
Sources:
This was a contact from a close friend/family (granddaughter)
Dorothy Marie Wolff Goebel died of COVID-19 on May 21, 2020 at Riverside Rehab and Healthcare in Alton IL. She was 92. Dorothy lived most of her life in Prairietown (unincorporated Madison County) where she and her husband farmed 57 years until his death in 2004.
Dorothy loved gardening, birds, animals, entertaining, and cooking for guests. Dorothy was a member of the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, St. Peter’s Ladies Aid, Prairie Unit Home Extension and Election Judge for Moro Township for many years.
Her family visited her regularly until the nursing homes shut down due to COVID-19. Once she caught coronavirus, her health deteriorated quickly and she died without her loving family surrounding her.
Dorothy is missed deeply by her daughter, four grandsons, and large extended family.
Irene A. Taschler died July 20, 2020 from complications of COVID-19. She was 95 years old.
Irene was a respected former executive secretary at Emerson Electric. She stayed active with her late husband, visiting their second home in Hawaii and traveling often to see her family in Austria. In her later years Irene loved volunteering at St. Anthony’s Medical Center (Mercy South Hospital).
Irene Taschler is missed deeply by her adult children, great grandchildren, and extended family both here in St. Louis and in Vienna, Austria.
Paul Rusnack MD, a retired clinical pathologist, died of COVID-19 related pneumonia at the age of 87 on August 3, 2020 at Belleville Memorial Hospital in Belleville Illinois.
He received his medical degree from Saint Louis University in 1959. After completion of his four-year pathology residency program at Saint Louis University, Paul served as Director of the 5th Army Medical Laboratory in St. Louis, MO. He worked as a certified clinical pathologist at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Belleville, IL, for 22 years until he retired in 1988.
In retirement, Paul loved golfing and playing card games with his close circle of friends. He was also active in various civic and parish groups such as the St. Claire Medical Society, Belleville Rotary Club, St. Henry Parish, and the St. Louis Art Museum. Paul was a lifelong St. Louis Cardinals fan.
Paul Rusnack is missed deeply by his wife of 61 years, his children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Melvin Solomon died from complications of COVID-19 on May 14, 2020 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville IL. At 90 years old, he was a WWII veteran and had earned the World War II Victory Medal for his service. After the war, he and his wife Phyllis raised their family, while Melvin worked 30 years at the United States Post Office serving as a letter carrier (ultimately working his way up to supervisor). He also moonlighted as a taxi cab driver, and had lots of stories to tell from doing that!
Mel and his wife retired to Las Vegas where they had lots of fun. Phyllis passed away and soon after, Melvin moved to Grand Manor in Swansea Illinois to be close to his granddaughter. He kept his sharp wit and liked jokes (both dirty and clean), BINGO, garlic powder, and learning new things.
Melvin Solomon is remembered as a kind and generous friend and as a loving father and grandpa. He’s missed by his family and everyone who knew him every day.
MaryCatherine Keene died May 20, 2020 at Riverside Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Alton Illinois from COVID-19 at the age of 94. Because of the nursing home lockdown and pandemic safety precautions, her family was unable to be with her. She was one of 17 deaths at the home as of August 4th.
During WWII, MaryCatherine moved to St. Louis and worked as an airplane riveter, and did all she could to help the Allied causes. After the war, she moved back to Alton and married her husband (who preceded her in death). Mary had an independent spirit and outgoing personality. According to those who knew her best, she never met a stranger. She was an avid reader and skilled quilter. She was a master storyteller of her true life stories and was proud of being a woman that worked in her time allowing women to wear long pants.
MaryCatherine Keene is missed by her daughter, a surviving sister, grand children, and extended family. She’s also missed by the other residents of Riverside Nursing Home and anyone lucky enough to draw a story out of her.
Dr. Jerry J. Bosse, a clinical psychologist, died from complications of COVID-19 on May 17, 2020. He was 79. He was born and raised in Belleville, and spent much of his later years in Chesterfield near his work in Maryland Heights.
Dr. Bosse was a solo practitioner (of “Life Appreciation Therapy”) who believed that excellent mental health and general life satisfaction could be attained by choosing peace and joy. His approaches incorporated guided meditation to increase mindfulness, of which he was an early adopter. Through his practice and leadership at Aaron Psychology Centers in Maryland Heights, he helped facilitate emotional healing in the lives of thousands.
Dr. Jerry Bosse is missed by his six adult children, grand kids, friends, and everyone whose lives he made a little bit better in his vocation.
Thomas R. “Rick” Boul died May 9, 2020 from COVID-19. He was 68 years old. Born in Belleville IL, Rick lived and worked in Belleville most of his life and will be missed by his extended family and friends.
WWII Veteran William D. “Bill” Baker, died May 1, 2020 at Edwardsville Care Center of complications related from COVID-19. He was 96.
BIll served in the US Army as an amphibious engineer in the South Pacific under Admiral Halsey during WWII. He also served in major assaults on Morotai Island in Indonesia, in the Netherlands, the East Indies, Lingayen Gulf on Luzon in the Philippine Islands, and eventually in Osaka, Japan.
After his honorable discharge from the military, Bill married his sweetheart June (who passed in 1996) and began his large family (raising 13 children in all). He retired after a long career at the US Post Office in 1984.
Bill loved to take his family on camping trips, playing any card game (especially poker and pinochle), and the Chicago Cubs. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.
Bill is deeply missed by his 12 surviving children, 90 great-grandchildren, and 19 great-great-grandchildren… and all his neighbors and friends that he made over his long life.
Rosie Mae Walker passed at Saint Louis University Hospital of COVID-19 with her family watching via video on their phones and iPads on April 9, 2020 at the age of 87. It’s thought that she caught COVID-19 at a family BBQ in early March after which several family members became ill; one of her sons was still recovering at another hospital when he found out she was dying alone.
Rosie Walker was the family matriarch, with 15 children of her own and a tremendously large extended family including two great-great grandchildren. She was widowed twice and retired to St. Claire Illinois to be close to family and joined the Mount Moriah COGIC in Centreville. Rosie would give her heart and soul to help anyone in need.
Rosie was known for making mouthwatering soulfood dishes for potlucks, large early morning breakfasts, and delicious holiday meals that included neighbors and anyone who was lucky enough to go to the same event that she was at. She loved seeing people happy and always had a joke or witticism to brighten the mood up.
Rosie is missed by her large family, her church family, and anyone who was fortunate enough to know her.
Frank Massey, passed of COVID-19 on April 17, 2020 five days after his 68th birthday. He had been married 20 years and had seven children. He served four years in the military as a Marine. After he retired from commercial truck driving, his passion for kids let him to become a school bus driver at the Belleville Township High School District 201.
Frank’s grieving wife gave an emotional interview with News Channel 5 on Your Side on April 18th:
“I want people to know that coronavirus is not a joke. It is not a hoax and it is definitely not fake news because I’m living the nightmare,” Cynthia said.
Frank Massey is missed by his children, grandchildren, extended family, all the kids he drove to and from school and events, and the Greater St. Mark COGIC family.
Anita LaKay Sprankle, of French Village in St. Francois County died of COVID-19 on May 5th, 2020 at Eden Village Retirement Center in Glen Carbon, Illinois. She was 89.
She was married to her husband for 53 years until he passed in 2009. She was very social and loved spending time with family and friends. She raised three kids and enjoyed spending summers in Texas once her husband retired from working as an Illinois State Trooper. Both of her sons and grandsons are in law enforcement and Anita was a huge supporter of BackStoppers.
She’s missed by her two sons, daughter, grandchildren, and those who knew her. Her family really hopes that we find a cure for COVID-19 and supports The McDonnell Genome Institute at Washington University.
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