Santel, Archie

Archie H. Santel, 85 of Damiansville, died Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at Memorial Care Center in Belleville. He was born April 4, 1924 in rural New Baden, son of Lucas and Mathilda (Broeckling) Santel. He married Marie A. Jansen in Damiansville on May 1, 1946 and she preceded him in death on June 17, 2003. Mr. Santel is survived by two children, Gerry (Del) Kloeckner of Albers and Delmar (Mary) Santel of Damiansville; six grandchildren, Lyn Kloeckner, Cindy (Rob) Neumann, Jill (fiancé, Ryan Voss) Kloeckner, Chris (Aaron) Toennies, Kyle (special friend, Donna Haake) Santel and Karrie (Mark) Rakers; five great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Toennies, Coryn Toennies, Alex Neumann, Julia Neumann, and Melaina Rakers; a sister, Lyra Vosholler of Cutler; and two sisters-in-law, Ann Kreke and Viola Jansen of New Baden. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Raymond F. Santel, Norbert F. "Dick" Santel and Robert Santel; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Andy Vosholler, William "Bill" & Cecilia Jansen, Herman & Vivian Jansen, Paul Kreke, Clem Jansen, Henry & Corinne Jansen and Rosemary Jansen. Before his retirement Mr. Santel worked at the Scott Air Force Base Exchange as an assistant manager for a service station. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in WWII. He was a member of St. Damian Parish and Holy Name in Damiansville and he was also a member of the American Legion Post 1026 in Albers where he was formerly a longtime finance officer and a past commander. He received a 60 year membership certificate in September 2009. Archie was also very active with bingo and other legion activities and enjoyed helping his grandchildren. A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 18, 2009 at St. Damian Catholic Church in Damiansville with Msgr. Donald Eichenseer officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at St. Damian Cemetery in Damiansville. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, December 17, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 18, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. Memorials may be made to Mater Dei High School or St. Damian Parish and will be received at the funeral home.