Wesley Lohr
Godfrey |
Wesley Gene Lohr, 86, of Godfrey, died on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on March 3, 1938 to Clarence (Ted) and Ellen (LaSetta) (Waters) Lohr in the same house in which he died. Mervin (Bud) Lohr was Wes’s brother who preceded him in death.
Wes attended Godfrey Grade School and graduated from Alton High School. Wes then joined the United States Air Force and served in Greece and Turkey from 1956-1959. He was called home to help run the family business, C.M. Lohr Quarry, with his brother after his father’s fatal accident.
He married the former Karen Jeane Sileven on February 20, 1965 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Godfrey. Karen preceded him in death in 2018.
Surviving are two children: Terry (Shelly) Lohr and Renee (Rob) Brown, and five grandchildren: Michael, Matthew, Mark, and Noah Brown, and Kari Lohr. Also surviving are sisters-in-law Alice Lohr, Marilyn Sileven, Teresa Tripp and brother-in-law Bob Tripp.
He was extremely proud of his grandkids and 00would listen to each and every story intently. Or maybe that is because he couldn't get a word in. Also surviving are nieces, nephews and hundreds of cousins from across the country.
While running the family quarry, Wes oversaw day to day operations and performed such tasks as electrician, diesel mechanic, rock driller, and explosives handler. He also worked with federal and state inspectors for mining, air, water, explosive and dirt permitting. He grew up in the business, so he was a natural. The quarry further developed and expanded until it was eventually sold in 2003 and Wes retired.
Wes designed and built a house in Brighton, IL, where he and Karen raised their family. He was very involved in the community, especially at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. They moved to Godfrey in 1988, and he moved back into his childhood home in 2003. He took care of his beloved wife, who lived with multiple sclerosis, for 40 years. They could be seen eating at every restaurant in Godfrey and Alton. They loved to socialize and found every opportunity to see their friends and family.
As a self proclaimed family genealogist and local historian, Wes spent his days researching the Lohr/Waters family trees. He reached out to cousins from coast to coast and stayed connected through email and Christmas cards. His knowledge of the Riverbend area was astounding. He could tell stories ranging anywhere between the Alton Mill fire and the building of Humbert Road, to remembering the Godfrey “Plank” road and the platform dances up at Pop Waters farm. If there was ever a question about the history of Godfrey or Alton, he knew the answer.
Through Wes’s learning and connections, he eventually started and organized the Godfrey Grade School reunions. These reunions went on for years and brought many old friends together again.
Faith was a very important part of Wes’s life. He was a devout Roman Catholic and was a member of the Dominican Laity in St. Louis. Wes and Karen belonged to Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Alton. In the past, he served as an usher and eucharistic minister. He was also a lifetime member of the Godfrey Knights of Columbus. Wes never missed a Sunday Mass or a Lenten fish fry.
Wes had a love for classic cars. He ordered and bought the first convertible 1964½ Mustang in Alton. He also bought a 1957 T Bird and it is still in his possession. He was restoring a 1966 El Camino from the ground up when he wasn’t helping others (his children) remodel bathrooms or build sheds. He was quite the handyman as well and would never pass up the opportunity to help.
From his weekly gatherings at Joe K’s and the Round Table, he truly touched the lives of so many people. He was a devoted husband, a caring father, and a supportive grandfather and will be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at SS Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Alton. Burial will be at Godfrey Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Additional information and online guest book may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Gent Funeral Home
