Ethel M Bozsa

Ethel Mae Bozsa, nee Zengler, 93, passed away of natural causes on April 27, 2015, in Highland, Ill. She was born on February 3, 1922 in St. Louis, Mo., and with her husband, Charles, lived near Mascoutah, Ill., while raising their six children.Ethel graduated from East Side High School, attended Business College in East St. Louis, and became a secretary for Stix, Baer and Fuller. Coerced by her friend into meeting the "good-looking Hungarian guy," Ethel married Charlie Bozsa in 1941. While Charlie was stationed in the Pacific during World War II, she lived on the California Mojave Desert with two small children. After the war they moved into their new home in Belleville, Ill., in 1947. The family later moved to a farm near Mascoutah in 1954, where Ethel was a homemaker and Charlie worked for the railroad. After Charlie's retirement they moved to Monument, Colo., where they built a new home and lived for five years. The couple then moved to Milton, Fla. After Charlie's death in 1989 Ethel moved to Trenton, Ill., eventually living at Faith Countryside apartments in Highland, Ill.Ethel was friendly with everyone she met, enjoying lively conversations with restaurant servers and airplane seatmates. At the St. Clair County Fair Ethel won blue ribbons for her cornbread. Her peach cobbler and homemade pies were legendary. With her beautiful handwriting, Ethel kept in touch with her many friends and relatives. Using her bookkeeping skills, Ethel maintained detailed financial records, and was lucky at bingo, cards and the horse races. A frequent traveler and family photographer, Ethel flew to Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, and across the United States. Ethel was an avid Cardinals fan and was delighted when "Fredbird" appeared at her 90th birthday party. A melanoma cancer survivor, Ethel always had a positive attitude. She was a member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah.Ethel was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Bozsa; her sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Bill Gerhard; and her parents, Carl and Anna, nee Johnson, Zengler.Surviving are six children, Pat (Ted) Tiemeyer of Palm City, Fla., Carl (Rosemary) Bozsa of Evansville, Ind., Carol (BGen, ret, Dale) Stovall of Missoula, Mont., Cindy (Jerry) Davis of Trenton, Ill., Bob, Ph.D. (Nila) Bozsa of Greenbelt, Md., and David Bozsa of Glen Carbon, Ill. Her grandchildren are Ted Tiemeyer III, Darren Tiemeyer, Andy (Susan) Tiemeyer, Craig (Greta) Bozsa, Tom (Sonya) Bozsa, Kristin Stovall (Lt. Col. Victor) Pereira, Justin Stovall, Robin Stovall, Dr. Jacki Davis, (Adam Taff), Jared Davis (fiance Christine Atkinson), and Lauren Bozsa. Her great-grandchildren are Melanie Bozsa, Lily and Reese Pereira, Katie and Ashton Bozsa, Shea and Kavon Stovall, and Avery Taff. Cindy Giger was Ethel's special friend and caregiver.The family suggests memorials to the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, 5 Schieber Court, Maryville, IL 62062, in memory of Ethel and her niece, Debbie Bozsa. Memories may be shared at valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.Visitation: Friends may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015, at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, 3412 Frank Scott Pkwy, Belleville, Ill.Funeral: Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, 2015, at the funeral home. A luncheon will follow at Fischer's Restaurant in Belleville.

VALHALLA GAERDNER HOLTEN FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.