Rensing, Emil

Emil A. Rensing, 97, of New Baden, died Friday, November 1, 2013 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. He was born October 14, 1916 in New Baden, IL, son of Ben and Mary (Roedler) Rensing. He married Verena A. Kalmer on April 7, 1948 in Damiansville and she preceded him in death on December 30, 2008. He is survived by his children, Edward (special friend, Warren Opfer) Rensing of St. Charles, MO, Dorothy (Jerry) Toth of Aurora, IL, Dolores Sump of St. Louis, MO, Janet (Paul) Biegler of Millstadt, IL, James J. (Kathleen) Rensing of New Baden, IL, Marvin (Nancy) Rensing of Mascoutah, IL, and Nancy (Kurt) Richter of Aviston, IL; 14 grandchildren, Christina (David) Wilkinson, Renee (Chris) Flenner, Jessica (Jeff) Lumsden, Stephanie (Clark) Evans, Dustin Sump, Ryan Sump, Brad Biegler, Chelsea Biegler, Megan Rensing, Kathryn Rensing, Amanda Rensing, Autumn Rensing, Nathan (special friend, Kysa Rankin) Richter and Nicole Richter; eight great-grandchildren, Kegan Lumsden, Camryn Lumsden, Gavin Lumsden, Kaitlyn Flenner, Kennedy Flenner, Madilyn Wilkinson, Eli Evans, and Abram Evans; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ella Rensing of New Baden, IL, Leo Varel of Carlyle, IL, Lawrence Kalmer of New Baden, IL, Jerome Koerkenmeier of Damiansville, IL, Hugo Wilke and Ralph Thole both of St. Rose, IL. In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Joseph Rensing, Corrine Feldman, Loretta Varel, Ben Rensing, Marie Rensing, Herman Rensing, Elmer Rensing and Viola Ottensmeier; a son-in-law, Frank Sump; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joseph H. and Catherine A. Kalmer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leona Rensing, Ray Feldman, Frank Varel, Eugenia Rensing, Lorene Rensing, Joe Ottensmeier, Marcella Varel, Virginia Kalmer, Mary Rita Koerkenmeier, Mary Ruth Wilke, and Margaret Thole. Mr. Rensing was a lifelong farmer. He was a veteran of the United States Army, served as a medic in WWII and was a recipient of the Bronze Star with 2 oak leaf clusters. He was a member of St. George Parish, the New Baden Senior Citizens and the American Legion Post 321. Emil enjoyed fishing, catching snapping turtles, bingo, euchre, and casino gambling. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, 2013 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2013 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden.The Senior Citizens will visit at 5 p.m. and the American Legion at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. George Parish, American Heart Association or Alzheimer’s Association and will be received at the funeral home.