Joseph F Hempen

Joseph F. Hempen, 83, of Breese, died peacefully at home Saturday, September 26, 2015 surrounded by his family. He was born August 24, 1932 in Aviston, the son of Fred and Monica (Hustedde) Hempen. On August 21, 1956, he married Eleanor “Betsy” Fehrmann of Bartelso, and she survives in Breese.

In addition to his wife he is survived by his children, Dale (Susie) Hempen of Breese, Curt (Brenda) Hempen of Waterloo, Scott (Jill) Hempen of Columbia, and Sally (Bob) Norrenberns of Albers; 11 grandchildren, Hunter, Forest, Holland, and Paris Hempen, Brittany (Chad) Manning, Casey (Deron) Duncan, and Blair Hempen, Sarah and Zachary Hempen, and Jillian and Regan Norrenberns; two step-grandchildren, Scott and Brooke Restoff; a sister, Dorothy Vandeloo of Carlyle; three brothers, Boyd Hempen of Conroe, TX, Paul Hempen of Bensenville, and Cletus (Mary Ann) Hempen of St. Rose; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Willene Fehrmann of Highland, Andrew Huelsmann, Pat Fehrmann, and Grace Fehrmann all of Breese, Frances “Hap” & Frank Peters of Carlyle, Tony & Cheryl Fehrmann of Breese, Paul Wellinghoff of Alton, Cleo & Jack Wilken of Bartelso, Thom Fehrmann of Urbana, and Theda Fehrmann & Severin Wellinghoff of Newburgh, IN; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Mr. Hempen was expecting his first great-grandchild in December.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Jeri Hempen; brothers-in-law, Justin “Jetty” Vandeloo, Paul Fehrmann, Cletus “Buck” Fehrmann, August Fehrmann, Ken Dressel, and Tom Holtgrave; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Hempen, Lorraine Hempen, Irene Huelsmann, Marty Wellinghoff, and Rita Dressel.

Mr. Hempen retired in 1992 after 28 years as a civil engineer at Scott AFB. Prior to that, he farmed north of Carlyle. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Joseph was a member of St. Dominic Parish in Breese, and enjoyed fishing, horseshoes, winemaking, small engine repair, and especially his family.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 2, 2015 at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Rev. Pat Peter officiating. Burial will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 2, 2015 at Nordike Funeral Home in Breese.

Memorials may be made to St. St. Dominic Parish Building Fund and will be received at the funeral home.