Pingsterhaus, Edwin

Edwin Herman “Eddie” Pingsterhaus, 83, of Germantown, died Saturday, May 12, 2012 at St. Joseph Hospital in Highland. He was born December 15, 1928 in Breese Township, son of William J. and Agnes (Wellinghoff) Pingsterhaus. He married Catherine Bechtoldt on August 4, 1954 in Belleville and she survives in Germantown. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, James Pingsterhaus of Germantown, Mary Pingsterhaus of Breese, Kathleen Pingsterhaus of Springfield, Elaine Grimes of Olney, Dr. Richard (Marilyn) Pingsterhaus of Nashville, Jean (Joe) Hinz of Germantown, and Barbara (Les) Heyduck of Centralia; five grandchildren, David and Lindsey Pingsterhaus, Jeffrey Grimes and Alexander and Ashley Hinz; a sister, Pauline Holtmann of Edwardsville; three brothers, Robert P. Pingsterhaus of Danville, Gregory (Florence) Pingsterhaus of Aviston, and Joseph (Lucille) Pingsterhaus of Germantown; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Paul Rensing of Albers, Pat Pingsterhaus of Dodge City, KS, Raymond & Lucille Bechtoldt of Portland, OR, Robert & Len Bechtoldt of Belleville, Rosemary Bechtoldt of Belleville, Mary Jo Bechtoldt of Mascoutah, and Rita & Eugene Wilhelm of Lebanon; he is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by sisters and brothers, Dorothy Rensing, Alphonse Pingsterhaus, Wilbert Pingsterhaus, and Frances and Edward Pingsterhaus in infancy; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Dale Holtmann, Elmer Bechtoldt, Henry Bechtoldt, Cletus & Marguerite Bechtoldt, and Marie & Gerald Zimmermann. Mr. Pingsterhaus worked as a grain and dairy farmer. He was a member of St. Boniface Church and men’s sodality in Germantown, the Clinton County Farm Bureau and Dairy Farmers of America. In the last couple years of his life he had accepted Jesus Christ in his heart and was a changed person. He lived in Highland Health Care for the last two years and the staff and residents loved him and he will be sadly missed. He participated in many activities and he had a smile on his face and he became a leader for many of their activities that his fellow residents looked up to. The family is also very grateful for the beautiful memories they have made with their father and grandfather in the last two years. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown with Msgr. James Buerster officiating. Burial will follow at St. Boniface Cemetery in Germantown. Friends may call from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Germantown. Memorials may be made to the Highland Health Care Activity Fund or to the American Diabetes Association and will be received at the church or the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Dominic Parish or to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and will be received at the funeral home.