Brefeld, Bernard

Bernard V. Brefeld, 93, of Trenton, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Breese. He was born April 17, 1915 in Trenton, son of Anthony C. and Catherine (See) Brefeld. He married Rose Marie "Dolly" Robben on February 25, 1941 in Breese and she survives in Trenton. In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, James (Michelle) Brefeld of Trenton, John (Peggy) Brefeld of Edwardsville, Jerome (Joyce) Brefeld of Trenton, Rosemarie (Steve Boemler) Brefeld of Clayton, MO, and Tony (Kate) Brefeld of Anthem, AZ; ten grandchildren, six step grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and four step great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Marie Brefeld of Trenton and a brother-in-law Larry Robben of Breese. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Paul and Dr. G.L. Brefeld, and four sisters, Aurelia Glanzner, Geraldine Brefeld, Loretta Cope-Strake and Bernice Kurz. Before his retirement, Mr. Brefeld was the owner/operator of Brefeld Plumbing and Heating and Brefeld Gas Company in Trenton. He was also a retired funeral director and embalmer for Brefeld Funeral Home in Aviston and was formerly associated with Brefeld Hardware in Trenton. He was a member of St. Mary Church and Men’s Sodality in Trenton, the Belleville Elks Club and past president of the Trenton Chamber of Commerce. In 1945 he was one of the charter members of the Trenton Knights of Columbus Council 2932. He served for 18 years as an Alderman for the city of Trenton and was a member of the Trenton Sportsmen’s Club. Mr. Brefeld was a graduate of Hohenschuh-Carpenter College of Embalming in St. Louis, MO, the University of Illinois in Champaign, IL and Rankin Technical Trade-School in St. Louis, MO. A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2009 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Trenton with Rev. Eugene Kreher officiating. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery in Trenton. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2009 and from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturday, January 10, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. The Knights of Columbus will visit the funeral at 7 p.m. on Friday. Memorials may be made to the Trenton Nutrition Center and will be received at the funeral home.