Richter, Casper

Casper W. Richter, 81, of Breese, died Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO. He was born December 3, 1930 in Breese, son of Kasper W. and Rose (Heimann) Richter. He married Dorothy H. Loepker on June 19, 1956 in Bartelso and she preceded him in death on November 29, 2007. Mr. Richter is survived by his children, Tom (Karen) Richter, Steve Richter, Randy (Tracy) Richter, Duane (Melissa) Richter all of Breese and Kathleen (Tim) Hodges of New Baden; nine grandchildren, Melissa (John) Becker, Lauren (Dustin) Melton, Jason (fiancée, Jolene Albers) Richter, Kyle Richter, Cody Richter, Brenndon Richter, Baylee Richter, Joshua Hodges, and Jordan Hodges; five great-grandchildren, Logan Becker, Jaelynn Richter, Avery Becker, Hunter Melton, and Brody Richter; a brother, R. Joe (Barbara) Richter of Breese; two sisters, Lorene Niemeyer and Jane Vahlkamp both of Breese; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Elsie Wiegmann of Trenton, Herbert and JoAnn Loepker of Troy, Edna Mae Woltering and Ethel Mae and Ralph Petermeyer all of Carlyle and Frances Loepker of Washington, MO. He was also survived by nieces and nephews and many dear friends.
In addition to his wife and parents he was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond W. "Ray" Richter, Norbert Richter and Richard Richter; a sister, Estelle Kueneke; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Aloisia "Louise" Richter, Flora Richter, Dorothy Richter, Art Kueneke, Gene Niemeyer, Jack Vahlkamp, Bernard and Mildred Loepker, William Wiegmann, and Ervin Loepker.
Mr. Richter took over the family farm and was proud to work the land. He was a dairy farmer and a veteran of the United States Army where he served as an MP. He was a lifelong member of St. Augustine Parish and the Men’s Sodality in Breese. He was a member of the Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869, Breese American Legion Post 252, the Breese Historical Society, Catholic Holy Family Society (formerly CK & L of I), a 50 year member of the Clinton County Farm Bureau, a former trustee of the Breese Fire Protection District and a former member of the Clinton County Soil & Water Conservation District. Casper enjoyed gardening, dancing, pie breaks with his buddies and never met a stranger.
Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Breese with Rev. Chuck Tuttle and Deacon Bob Lippert officiating. Burial will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.
Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2012 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, February 25, 2012 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. The American Legion will visit the funeral home Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Breese Senior Center or to the St. Augustine Building Fund and will be received at the funeral home.