Rakers, Charles

Charles G. Rakers, 75, of Aviston, died July 29, 2014 at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He was born July 5, 1939 in Aviston, son of Bernard and Gertrude (Hellmann) Rakers, Sr. He married Dolores Imming on June 5, 1962 in Aviston and she preceded him in death on November 1, 2003. He is survived by his two sons, Gary (Kathleen) Rakers and Michael (Kimberly) Rakers all of Aviston; five grandchildren, April (Jason) Kohnen, Amanda (David) Erlinger, Jessica Rakers, Jacob Rakers, and Ben Rakers; two great-grandchildren, Sarah and Meagan Kohnen; a brother, Jim (Marilyn) Rakers of Aviston; four sisters, Rita Kalmer of Damiansville, Delores Langenhorst of Beaver Prairie, Johanna Heimann of Fairview Heights, and Julie Toennies of New Baden; and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert Lochridge of Belleville, Matthew Kuhl of Carlyle, Paul Kerkemeyer of Belleville, and Ruth and Raymond Blumenstein of Houston, TX; he is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his parents and wife he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ben, Tony, and Al Rakers; two sisters, Annie Kalmer and Mary “Sally” Haselhorst; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Clara Rakers, Leona Rakers, Vincent Kalmer, Rita Rakers, Vic Kalmer, Robert Haselhorst, Vince Langenhorst, David Heimann, Walter Toennies, Arleen Lochridge, Marilyn Kuhl, and Marge Kerkemeyer. Mr. Rakers worked for Markus Cabinet in Aviston, then worked 38 years for Aviston Lumber in Aviston before retiring from Centralia Correctional Facility as a Central Management Services Garage Foreman. He was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves, a member of St. Francis Parish, a retired member of the Aviston Fire Department, a former Village of Aviston Board Member from 1983-1989, the former Mayor of the Village of Aviston from 1989-2009, a current member of the Clinton County Board, and a member and former chairman of the Clinton County Republican Central Committee. Charles loved being at his clubhouse, “Rakers Acres”. Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 1, 2014 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Dan Friedman officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston. Friends may call from 3:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, July 31, 2014 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friday, August 1, 2014 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. There will be a prayer service at 3:30 p.m. and the Fire Department will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to Central High School Football and Track or to the Donor’s Choice and will be received at the funeral home.