Velda Bringaze

Velda Louise “Lou” Bringaze, nee Rutledge, 89, of Belleville, IL, born February 3, 1936, in Springfield, IL, died Monday, January 5, 2026, at her residence.

Velda was a member of St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. She had retired from the Federal Government where she had worked as a computer programmer.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Eugene A. “Bud” Bringaze, Jr., whom she married on February 16, 1957, and who died on January 28, 2015; her parents, Clarence and Virginia, nee Miller, Rutledge; father and mother in law, Eugene A. Bringaze and Lila, nee Lawless, Bringaze; a sister, Marlyn (Gail) Compton; a brother, John Michael “Mickey” Rutledge; two brothers-in-law, David Gant and Gail Compton and brothers and sisters in law, Marion and Robert Heid, Lila and George Rabbitt, and Barbara and Walter Asbury.

She is survived by a daughter and three sons, Patricia M. Bringaze, Eugene A. Bringaze III, Thomas J. Bringaze, and John D. Bringaze; three grandchildren, Anthony, Mallory, and Carly Bringaze; a brother, Clarence “Lee” (Debbie) Rutledge; three sisters, Marlene Gant, Karron Bingman, and Sharon (William) Sanderfield; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Adapt of Illinois, Inc., 2600 West Boulevard, Belleville, IL, or the Region J Special Olympics, 111 South Washington St., Trenton, IL 62293. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 10, 2026, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Kenneth York officiating.

Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

Obit Provided By:
Renner Funeral Home