Charles Francis Holtgrave

Charles was a United States Army veteran who served in the Korean War. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Ill., Knights of Columbus, O'Fallon, Ill., and the American Legion, New Baden, Ill. He worked for 13 years at Northfolk & Western Railroad, Certainteed Roofing for 10 years and retired after 14 years from Memorial Hospital. Charles enjoyed being with his family, he cherished each and every one of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed playing cards and never knew a stranger. He will be sadly missed by his family and all who knew him.

He was preceded in death by his son, Dale Holtgrave; his parents, Frank and Thersia, nee Kampwerth, Holtgrave; brothers, Cyril, Arthur, Albert and Victor Holtgrave; sisters, Mary (Oliver) Luber and Cecelia Holtgrave; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Vosholler and Sophie (Vince) Santel; and a brother-in-law, Andy Vosholler.

Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Gertrude, nee Vosholler, Holtgrave of Fairview Heights, Ill., whom he married on May 19, 1953; daughter, Doris (Morris) Grotsky of Swansea, Ill.; son, Gary (Kathy) Holtgrave of O'Fallon, Ill.; grandchildren, Scott (Angie) Grotsky of Swansea, Ill., Valerie (Kirk) Hancock of O'Fallon, Ill., Marlaina Holtgrave of O'Fallon, Ill., Matt Grotsky of Swansea, Ill., Rachel (fiance, Brandon Smiley) Holtgrave of O'Fallon, Ill., and Jeanine Holtgrave of O'Fallon, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Hannah, Noah and Kaylee Grotsky; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Holtgrave of San Diego, Calif., Imogene Holtgrave of Highland, Ill., Rita (Jerry) Pierce of Trenton, Ill., and Lyra Vosholler of Sparta, Ill.; and brothers-in-law, Ted (Joanne) Vosholler of New Baden, Ill., and Paul Vosholler of Vernon, Ill.

Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Church's Building Fund, Fairview Heights, Ill. Condolences may be offered at www.lakeviewfuneralhm.com

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 1, 2011 at Lake View Funeral Home, Fairview Heights, Ill. A prayer service will be held at 4 p.m.

Funeral: The funeral procession will depart Lake View Funeral Home at 9:45 a.m. Monday, May 2, 2011 for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Fairview Heights, Ill., with Father Ray Schultz officiating. Interment will be held in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, Ill.