Billhartz, Leona

Leona T. Billhartz, 76, of O’Fallon formerly of New Baden, died Monday, December 15, 2008 at Clinton Manor in New Baden. She was born March 15, 1932 in Mascoutah, daughter of Bernard and Pearl (Haas) Friederich. She married Earl C. Billhartz on November 18, 1950 in Mascoutah and he preceded her in death on September 28, 2003. She is survived by her children, Alan (Debby) Billhartz of Smithton, Larry (Julie) Billhartz of Venita, OR, Diane (Charles) Phelps of Lenoir, NC and Patrick Billhartz of O’Fallon; six grandchildren, Greg (Jennie) Billhartz, Rachel (Shannon) Peters, Andrew (Christy) Billhartz, Alyssa (Rich) Driessnack, Kathryn Billhartz, and Vanessa Phelps; and five great-grandchildren, Grace Billhartz, Evan Billhartz, Liam Billhartz, Sela Peters, and Micah Driessnack; brothers and sisters, Lenora Schulte of Mascoutah, Werner “Bud” (Anna Lee) Friederich of Lenzburg, Norma Reinneck of Mascoutah, Charlotte (Earl) Haas of Mascoutah, Cathy Schneider of Collinsville, Charles Friederich of Eagle, ID, Sharon Fortune of Mascoutah, and David (Rita) Friederich of Joppa; brothers- in-law and sisters- in-law, Mary and William Bard of Renton, WA, Mary Billhartz of New Baden, David and Janet Billhartz of Lebanon, Michael and Nancy Billhartz of Smithton and Janice Hajek and her husband Mike of Maryville; and a special friend of the Billhartz family, Ellen Hayden of Belleville. In addition to her parents and her husband she was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Friederich; brothers- in-law and sisters- in-law, LeRoy Schulte, Allen Reinneck, Marcella and Richard Rakers, Wilbert F. “Bud” and Viola Billhartz, Donald and Dorothy Billhartz, Clarence Billhartz, and Thomas Billhartz; Father in-law and Mother in-law, Wilbert C. and Anna (Horenkamp) Billhartz. Mrs. Billhartz worked at Hills Bakery for 22 years. She was a member of St. George Parish in New Baden. A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 18, 2008 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m Wednesday December 17th, 2008 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, December 18th, 2008 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Donors choice and will be received at the funeral home.