Fuehne, Cletus

Cletus H. Fuehne, 86, of Damiansville, died Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at St. Joseph Hospital in Breese. He was born April 10, 1926 in Damiansville, son of Frank and Anna (Hilmes) Fuehne. Cletus and Rita “Butch” Rakers were united in marriage on May 31, 1949 in Aviston. They were married 63 years and she survives in Damiansville. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Darlene (Alfred) Spihlmann of Damiansville, Shirley (Duck) Netemeyer of Albers, Mary Lou (Tom) Huling of Fairview Heights, Nancy (Butch) Toennies of Damiansville, Dave (Cindy “Cid”) Fuehne of Damiansville, Lynn (Don) Koerkenmeier of Stilwell, KS, and Steve (Gwen) Fuehne of Damiansville;17 grandchildren, Debbie (Kurt) Becker, Jeff (Jill) Spihlmann, Jason (fiancé, Erica) Spihlmann, Lori (friend, Trish) Netemeyer, Stacey (Shane) Netemeyer, Matt Huling, Luke (Mandy) Huling, Jamie (Kevin) Wilburn, Kyle (Andrea) Toennies, Nick (friend, Brandy) Fuehne, Phillip (friend, Ashley) Fuehne, Adam Fuehne, Josh (Darcy) Koerkenmeier, Ryan (friend, Chelsea) Koerkenmeier, Grace, Matthew and Evelyn Fuehne; 13 great-grandchildren, Devon & Seth Becker, Carter, Tyler & Lance Spihlmann, Alexie & Kayla Spihlmann, Justin & Haley Huling, Aubrey, Addison & Brandt Wilburn, and Kynleigh Koerkenmeier; brother, Frankie (“Bim”) Fuehne of Damiansville; two sisters, Estelle Tonnies of Albers, and Rosemary Spihlmann of Damiansville; and sisters-in-law, Lou Fuehne of Bartelso and Clara Rakers of Breese. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Donald Fuehne; a grandchild, Heather Fuehne; three brothers, Norbert Fuehne, Alfred Fuehne, and Steven Fuehne; two sisters, Leona Eilering and Mary Ann Thoele; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Vince Tonnies, Vince Eilering, Mary Fuehne, Alvin Thoele, Rich Spihlmann, Alvina and Aloys Feldman, Henrietta and Aloysius Septeowski, Dorothy and Robert Kalmer, John Rakers, Edward Rakers and Joe Mondt; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Henry and Theresia Rakers. In his life, Clete was a farmer, logger, and founder and owner of Fuehne’s Tavern in Damiansville for 29 years. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend to all he met. He was an avid Cardinal fan and hunter, he loved the timber, four wheeling, and loved to tell a good story. He was a member of St. Damian Parish and Holy Name, Damiansville Chamber of Commerce, a lifetime member and past-president of the Clinton County Tavern Association, and a member of the Clinton County Farm Bureau. In remembrance of Clete, “have a little sprinkle”. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville with Rev. Jack Joyce officiating. Burial will follow at St. Damian Cemetery in Damiansville. Friends may call after 4 p.m. Friday, January 25, 2013 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation, St. Damian Parish or Mater Dei High School and will be received at the funeral home.