Lawrence Fennewald

Lawrence Joseph Fennewald, 84, passed away at 11:44am on Friday, November 6, 2009 at his residence. He was born on April 9, 1925 in Rush Hill, Missouri the son of the late Lawrence and Rose (Baron) Fennewald. He married the former Claretta "Carrie" Woodson in 1948 at St. Mark's Catholic Church in St. Louis, Missouri. Monsignor Sesnon presided over the ceremony. Survivors include six sons and daughters in law: Marty and Trudy Fennewald of Colorado, Jay and Stephanie Fennewald of East Alton, Illinois, Michael and Lois Fennewald of Southport, Florida, Jeffrey and Jill Fennewald of Virginia, Andrew Fennewald of Hartford, Illinois, Scott and Jackie Fennewald of Alton, Illinois, four daughters and sons in law: Laurie and Carl DeBord of Webster Groves, Missouri, Rebecca and Jim Beal of Edwardsville, Illinois, Letha and Pat Fitzgerald of Wood River, Illinois, and Roxane and Larry Lorenz of St. Peters, Missouri, seventeen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, a twin brother and sister in law: Louis and Wanda Fennewald of St. Louis, Missouri, and numerous nieces and nephews all survive. He was very proud of his children and their accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters: Eleanor and Gertrude, two grandsons: Andy Michael Fennewald and Robert Fennewald and two sisters in law: Dorothy Arens and Margaret Cecelia Woodson.

He attended St. Joseph Catholic School and Church until enlisting in the Army in 1942. He served 4 ½ years in the Army Corps of Engineers. He saw a lot of action during World War II including the Occupation of Japan. When home from the Army, he and his twin brother Louis were the battery of the Martinsburg Giants baseball team also known as the Scourge of Audrain County. In 1951 he joined the Naval Reserves and served 2 ½ years aboard the air craft carrier USS Tarawa as an Aviation Machinists mate. He joined the ships choir and was privileged to sing masses in Catholic Churches in Italy and Spain. He was also privileged to enjoy a 3 day tour of Rome and a group audience with Pope Pius XII. In 1956 he moved his family to Hartford. He and his family built a house in Hartford and became members of the St. Bernard Parish in Wood River. He was a machinist for many years and a teamster retiring in 1987. He then became a bus driver for East Alton ? Wood River High School retiring in 2007. He was a lifetime member of the Wood River Knights of Columbus. He played recreational baseball and softball where he was a pitcher. He was an avid Cardinals fan and he enjoyed bowling and golfing. He especially enjoyed getting together with his family and backyard BBQ's.

Visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm on Monday, November 9, 2009 at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River with a prayer service at 4pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at Holy Angels Parish in Wood River. Father James Flach will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Wanda Cemetery in South Roxana with full military honors by the Ritual Team of VFW Post 1308 of Alton.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital or the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Holy Angels Parish.

Online guestbook available at www.pitchfordfuneralhome.com.

Obit Provided By:
Pitchford Funeral Home