Cletus P. Hempen

Cletus P. Hempen, 90, of St. Rose, died Sunday, April 2, 2017 at Caring First Nursing Home in Breese. He was born March 27, 1927 in Aviston, IL, the son of Fred and Monica, nee Hustedde, Hempen. He married Mary Ann Wilke September 23, 1953 in St. Rose and she survives in St. Rose.

In addition to his wife he is survived by two daughters, Deb (Mike) Gall of St. Rose, and Jane (Rex) Baer of Harrisonville, MO; three sons, Mark (Karen) Hempen of Jamestown, Tony (Geralyn) Hempen of Highland, and Larry (Tracy) Hempen of St. Rose; 12 grandchildren, Bob Crippen, Jonathan Gall, Phillip Gall, Melissa Poss, Nathan Gall, Amanda Heinzmann, Andrew Baer, Eric Hempen, Mary Baer, Matthew Baer, Jessie Hempen, and Nicole Hempen; four great-grandchildren, Isabella Crippen, Ellie Gall, Harrison Poss, and Charlie Gall; a sister, Dorothy Vandeloo of Carlyle; two brothers, Boyd Hempen of Conroe, TX, and Paul Hempen of Bensenville; and three sisters-in-law, Betsy Hempen of Breese, Irma Korte of Highland, and Cecilia Wilke of St. Rose.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter, Phyllis Crippen; a great-grandson, Isaiah Jones; a brother, Joseph Hempen; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Hempen and Lorraine Hempen; and a brother-in-law, Justin Vandeloo.

Mr. Hempen was a dairy farmer for most of his life; after retiring from the dairy farm, he worked at Korte Construction for 20 years as a maintenance man and working on small engines. He was a member of St. Rose Parish, the St. Rose Development Club, Breese American Legion Post 252; and was a past member of the St. Rose Fire Department, St. Rose Water District, and the Mater Dei School Board. Cletus was a veteran of the United States Army; he enjoyed woodworking, spending time outside and working in the yard with his wife.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose with Rev. Ed Schaefer officiating. Burial will follow at St. Rose Cemetery.

Friends may call from 12 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017 at St. Rose Catholic Church in St. Rose.

Memorials may be made to Clinton County Right to Life or for masses and will be received at the church or Nordike Funeral Home, 150 N. Clinton, Breese, IL 62230 who is serving the family.