Toennies, H. "Walt"

Walter H. “Walt” Toennies, 78, of New Baden, died Thursday, November 28, 2013 at his home. He was born November 15, 1935 in Breese, son of Joseph and Margaret (Santel) Toennies. He married Julie T. Rakers on September 23, 1958 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston and she survives in New Baden. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, Terry (Bonnie) Toennies, Ken (Gloria) Toennies all of Trenton, Stanley Toennies of Aviston, Allen (special friend, Candi) Toennies of Carlyle, and Jim “Jock” (Kara) Toennies of Albers; nine grandchildren, Nicole (Matt) Hellmann, Megan Toennies, Lance Toennies, Larissa (fiancé, Mark Chapman) Toennies, Lacy Toennies, Joshua Toennies, Brittany Toennies, Jenna Toennies, and Kate Toennies; a great-grandchild, Owen Hellmann; brothers and sisters, Alvin (Rita) Toennies of Damiansville, Marie (Greg) Niemeyer of Breese, Bernice “Bim” (Franklin) Fuehne of Damiansville, Jerry (Sharon) Toennies of Waterloo, Jan (Tom) Eversgerd of Germantown, and Germaine (Herb) Schulte of Trenton; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Henry Albers of Damiansville, Bernette Toennies of Germantown, Jane Toennies of Breese, Rita Kalmer of Damiansville, Delores Langenhorst of Beaver Prairie, Johanna Heimann of Fairview Heights, Jim and Marilyn Rakers of Aviston and Charles Rakers of Aviston. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Cletus Toennies, Joe Toennies and Norman Toennies; two sisters, Lucille Albers and Emma Toennies; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ben & Clara Rakers, Tony & Leona Rakers, Annie & Vincent Kalmer, Al & Rita Rakers, Vic Kalmer, Mary “Sally” & Robert Haselhorst, Vince Langenhorst, David Heimann and Dolores Rakers. Mr. Toennies was a dedicated employee of Aviston Lumber for 55 years. He was a veteran of the United States Army, a member of St. George Parish in New Baden, Trenton Knights of Columbus Council 2932, a member of the Clinton County Baseball Hall of Fame, a former member of the New Baden Chamber of Commerce, and he was retired from the New Baden Volunteer Fire Department. His hobbies were fishing, hunting, Clinton County Baseball, sports and gardening. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2013 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Gene Neff officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden. Friends may call from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. Sunday, December 1, 2013 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2013 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. The Fire Department will visit at 5 p.m. and the Knights of Columbus will visit at 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for family wishes and will be received at the funeral home.