Delores Lysakowski
O Fallon | Save
Delores June Lysakowski passed away on July 19, 2026, just weeks after celebrating her 99th birthday. Delores was born on June 23, 1927, on a farm in a rural area west of O’Fallon to Ina Emma (nee Bevirt) Mantle and Ira Walton Mantle. She was the oldest of three girls.
She attended Milburn School, a one-room schoolhouse in a rural area, for all eight grades. After graduating in 1941, she attended O’Fallon Township High School, where she played clarinet in the high school band and graduated in the spring of 1945. In May 1945, she began working for the Communications Workers of America and retired in August 1982 after 37 years of service. Shortly thereafter, she was appointed to the St. Clair County Transit District, where she served as chairperson until 2018, completing 35 years of service. A great source of pride, she was instrumental in organizing both the REDBIRD EXPRESS and the MUNY EXPRESS, two highly successful services that served the metro-east communities.
On September 24, 1949, Delores married Virgil Lysakowski, whom she met on the high school bus. Virgil worked for O’Fallon-Belleville Coach Company. Virgil, the love of her life, passed away on December 24, 1996, after 47 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, LaDoris Jean (Ben) Ahring and Betty Jane (Norman) Dressel.
Above all, Delores was a true, die-hard St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan. A season ticket holder for approximately 22 years, she rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on her beloved Cardinals. She especially loved traveling to Spring Training in Jupiter, Florida, and by 2019 had made the trip 22 times. Those visits brought her great joy and gave her the chance to meet many Cardinals players, creating memories she treasured.
Delores is survived by two special nieces, Beverly June Dressel and Cynthia Sue (Dave), nee Ahring, Wolf, as well as many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, with services to begin at 11 a.m., at the Funeral Home. Her final resting place will be at the historical Henry Mace Burial Grounds in O’Fallon, Illinois. It’s only fitting, and it was Delores’ request, to wear your favorite ST. LOUIS CARDINALS apparel on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to either Vitas Hospice, by mail to 16 Executive Dr., Suite 100, Fairview Heights, IL 62208 or Susan G. Komen online at komen.org. Online guestbook and photo tribute are available at www.wfh-ofallon.com. Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O’Fallon, Ill., is serving the family.
Wolfersberger Funeral Home
