Rehkemper, Josephine

Josephine M. Rehkemper, 88, of St. Rose, IL, died Sunday, May 11, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, IL. She was born February 8, 1926 in Pierron, IL, daughter of William and Josephine (Holthaus) Schwierjohn, Sr. She married Bernard “Ben” J. Rehkemper, Jr. on May 26, 1948 in Pierron, IL and he preceded her in death on December 15, 1976. She is survived by her children, Theresa (special friend, Ralph LaPiere) Rehkemper of Grantfork, IL, Norbert Rehkemper of St. Rose, IL, Gerald (Paula) Rehkemper of Highland, IL, Daniel (Lisa) Rehkemper of St. Rose, IL, Virgil (Carolyn) Rehkemper of Glen Carbon, IL, and Roger (Suzanne) Rehkemper of St. Charles, MO; a son-in-law, James Williams of Breese, IL; 19 grandchildren, Brad Williams, Angie (Shaun) Focht, Susan Williams, Sara (special friend, Bobby Hock) Williams, Jennifer (special friend, Kurt Dulle), Tom (Vanessa), Mike (Nicole), Steven (Shelly), Gavin (Kate), Kelsey, Clayton, Ben, Ryan (Melissa), Matt, Kimberly, Kraig, Brendan, Luke, & Elizabeth Rehkemper; two step grandchildren, Traci (special friend Richard McGee) Harter, and Libby (Carlos) Tovar; 14 great- grandchildren, Savannah, Austin & Caleb Williams, Brittany Focht, Bobby Hock, Jr., Jared, Kyle, & Abby Hock, Carson & Brayden Dulle, Aspen, Deandra, Delaney & Devin Rehkemper; two step great-grandchildren, Gabby Miller and Abbie McGee; a sister, Christine Holtgrave of Highland, IL; and a sister-in-law, Rose Rehkemper of St. Rose, IL. In addition to her husband and parents she was preceded in death by a daughter, Joan Williams; a daughter-in-law, Geralyn Rehkemper; two great-grandchildren, Brogan Williams and Brady Rehkemper; brothers, Joseph, Sr., Henry, Alphonse, William Jr., and Clem Schwierjohn; sisters, Helen Frey, Kate Wessel, Gertrude Peters, and Agnes Schwierjohn; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Alvina, Loretta, & Betty Schwierjohn, Delmar Frey, Vince Wessel, Clem Peters, Erwin Holtgrave, Frank & Rose Rehkemper, August & Bernetta Rehkemper, Clara & William Wilke, Anna & Alvin Hilmes, Mary & Gregory Markus, and Victor Rehkemper. Mrs. Rehkemper was a cook at St. Rose School and was the owner/operator of Rehkemper Bus Service and was also a driver. She was a member of the St. Rose Parish and Ladies Sodality; the St. Rose Development Corp; Daughters of Isabella Circle 718; and the St. Rose Senior Citizens Club. She enjoyed bingo, Euchre, and family. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose, IL. with Rev. Ed Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Rose Cemetery in St. Rose, IL. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 13, 2014 and from 12 noon until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese, IL. There will be a prayer service by the Highland Knights of Columbus at 6 p.m. and the Daughters of Isabella at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the St. Rose Parish Capital Improvement Fund or Clinton County Relay For Life or to Family Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.