William Dettmers
Bethalto | Save
William “Bill” Francis Dettmers, 88, passed away at 12:00 noon on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Eunice Smith Home in Alton.
He was born on May 30, 1923 in Bethalto, Illinois, the son of William Herman and Blanche (Rosin) Dettmers.
He married Shirley A. Warren on April 10, 1948 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto. She passed away on July 27, 1999.
Bill served his country in the U.S. Army, in the European Theater of WWII, earning the purple heart and retired as a Master Sergeant. He retired as Bethalto Postmaster after 38 years. He was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, the Bethalto American Legion Post # 214 and the Bethalto Knights of Columbus Council # 4688 where he was a 3rd degree knight. He was a coin, stamp, baseball card collector, enjoyed wood crafting and was an avid dancer.
He is survived by his children and their spouses, William and Sandra Dettmers of Wood River, Pamela and John Gass of Franklin, IL, Craig Dettmers of Bethalto, Gary and Denise Dettmers of Columbus, OH, Paul Dettmers of Bethalto, Teresa and Jim Langford of Wood River, Susan and Steve Mitchell of Bunker Hill, Mary and Kevin Hagerty of St. Charles, MO and Steve and Crystal Dettmers of Wood River; twenty one grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; a sister, June DeLong of Atwood, IL; his special companion, Betty Bast of Bethalto and his nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one sister Katherine Blastic
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto.
A funeral Mass will be at 10 am Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Bethalto with Father Tom Liebler officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey with the Bethalto American Legion Post # 214 horning with military rites.
Memorials may be made to the Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic School and or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home
