Alfred Woelfel

Alfred Henry Woelfel, 86, died at 9:05 a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2016 in the emergency room at Jersey Community Hospital in Jerseyville.He was born in Batchtown on Aug. 23, 1929, and was one of six children born toGeorge W. & Rose W. (Tepen) Woelfel.Alfred grew up in Calhoun County, and attended Brussels High School, until his family moved Jerseyville his senior year, where he graduated in 1948 from Jersey Township High School.  A gifted athlete, Alfred attended a baseball tryout in St. Louis, at the urging of a friend, Edward Roach.  It was there, that he caught the eye of Connie Mack, who ordered Al to report to spring training in West Palm Beach, Fl, with the Philadelphia Athletics, making a dream come true for Al.He married the former Dorothy E. Drainer on Jan. 20, 1951 at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fieldon, and the two began their married life together in Rockaway Beach, NY, where he began his two year stint with the U.S. Army serving during the Korean War.After his honorable discharge, they returned to Jersey County, and resumed his employment at Illinois Power in Wood River, retiring in January 1992 after 42 years of service.Al was a loyal and devoted family man  He and his wife Dorothy recently celebrated 65 years of marriage, and a life that has been blessed with their six children and as time went on, the addition of grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He was very active in his children's lives, and even with his busy work schedule, found time to coach basketball at Holy Ghost Catholic School, and baseball with the Jerseyville Khoury League, instilling his love of sports to not only his children, but others as well.  He was a member of the Jerseyville Knights of Columbus, American Legion Post 492, the former Moose Lodge, as well as the IBEW Local 51 of Springfield, Il.He loved to spend time outdoors, whether it was hunting or fishing, but especially enjoyed his retirement years at his cabin at another Rockaway Beach, this time in Missouri, near Branson.Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Woelfel of Jerseyville; his six children & their spouses, Deborah Woelfel of Grafton, DonnaDarr of Dow, James Woelfel  of Jerseyville, Diana & Dennis Woolsey of Jerseyville, Jeffrey & Tamara Woelfel of Grafton, and Darla & Rusty Long of Alton; 13 Grandchildren & their spouses, Aaron Darr of Dow, Ryan & Suzanne Darr of Jerseyville, Kristin & Joshua Elmore of Glen Carbon, Wayne & Bridget Woolsey of Meadowbrook, Adam & Marissa Woolsey ofJerseyville, Heather King, and her companion, Brett Schwarz of Lockport, Rachel Cox of Brighton, Michelle & Cody Walden of Rockbridge, Mindy & Brett Jackson of Greenfield, Jamie & Matt Burns of Plainview, Lauren & Matt Savoie of Portland, Or., Shelby Woelfel, and her companion, Adam Sackmann of Jerseyville, and Jon Henry Woelfel of Grafton; 18 Great Grandchildren; two brothers & sisters in law, Richard & Marie Woelfel and Ronald & Barbara Woelfel all of Jerseyville.In addition to his parents, Alfred was preceded in death by a son in law, Dr. Gary Darr; a brother & sister in law, George &Theona "Spiv" Woelfel; a sister and brother in law, Rosemary & William Simpson, and an infant sister, Betty Woelfel.Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, with a Rosary Recitation a 7:30 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10 a.m., Friday at the Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Jerseyville, with Father William Hembrow officiating.He will be laid to rest in the St. Francis Xavier Cemetery in Jerseyville with the Jerseyville American Legion Post 492 conducting military graveside rites.In recognition of his love of sports and the youth of our community, memorials may be given to the St. Francis/Holy Ghost Schools Athletic Association or to Masses.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home