Kalmer, Norbert

Norbert F. Kalmer, 82, of Germantown, died Saturday, January 20, 2007 at his home. He was born April 27, 1924 in Damiansville, son of John and Caroline (Korte) Kalmer. He married Susanna Marie Beckmann in Germantown on September 1, 1947 and she survives in Germantown. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Carol Wolters and husband Jim of Maryville, John Kalmer and wife Jan of St. Rose, Beth Lampen of Breese, Joseph Kalmer and wife Cheryl of Edwardsville, and Darla Deiters and husband Larry of Breese; fourteen grandchildren, two foster grandchildren, two great grandchildren and three foster great grandchildren; one brother Erwin Kalmer of Trenton; one sister, Marie Haake and husband Robert of Germantown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rita Kalmer of Damiansville, Fred and Dorothy Beckmann, Leon Beckmann, and Leona and Charlie Mueller all of Germantown, Vernal and Nancy Beckmann of Ballwin, MO and Frances Kaatmann of St. Louis, MO; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Vic Kalmer; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Ermalinda Kalmer, Johanna Beckmann, Harold Kaatmann, Florence and Aloys Holtmann, Grace and Vincent Meier, Caroline and Ed Hagenhoff, and Martin and Catherine Beckmann, and his former son-in-law, Tom Lampen. Mr. Kalmer was a talented musician who played the trumpet, guitar and keyboards. Early in his career, he played with the Holtmann Bros. Orchestra and The Happy Trio. In 1968 he formed The Aces Orchestra, leading them for the next 25 years. He was one of 5 remaining players of the 1945 championship Damiansville Team in the Clinton County Baseball League. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown, and a 50 year member of the church choir. He was a member of the St. Henry Men Sodality, American Federation of Musician’s local 175, United Auto Workers 25, the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and the Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869. He retired from General Motors Corp. in 1980 after 31 years of service. A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Rev. Stephen Humphrey officiating. Interment will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Germantown. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Tuesday, January 23, 2007 and from 9 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, 2007 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. Memorials may be made to Mater Dei High School, JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund) or VNA Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.