Bridger, Roberta

Roberta "Bertie" Bridger, 82 of New Baden, died Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at her home. She was born March 13, 1929 in Memphis, TN, daughter of James Leroy and Mattie Demetrail (Hiluard-Dempsey) Deprow, Sr. She married Hardigrew Charles Bridger, Sr. on January 10, 1946 and he preceded her in death on December 23, 1977. S he is survived by her children, Frances (Wayne) Karanovich of Maryville, Sandee (James) Stennett of Granite City, Patricia (P.J.) Wolkowicz of New Baden, Pamela Divine of Granite City, and Hardigrew "Buster" Bridger, Jr. of Granite City; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a brother, Howard Dale (Marcie) Deprow of Tallapoosa, MO. In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by two daughters, Donna Sue Bridger in infancy and Deborah Gradley; brothers and sisters, Altamae Kaye, Galen Deprow, Mitchell Deprow, Donald Deprow, Charles Deprow, Carry Deprow, Carlos Deprow, and James Deprow, Jr. Mrs. Bridger retired from American Bakeries in St. Louis, MO in 1974. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in New Baden; the Bakers Union Local 4 in St. Louis, MO; and the Rob Morris Chapter 98 OES in Belleville. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in New Baden with Pastor Dave Manley and Rev. Jay Huddleston officiating. Burial will follow at 2 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens in Fairview Heights. Friends may call from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, December 16, 2011 and from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on Saturday December 17, 2011 at the church. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of New Baden Benevolence Fund and will be received at the funeral home.