Rosemary Evelyn Rettig

Rosemary was a proud graduate of St. Teresa’s Academy in East St. Louis. In her younger years she worked as Secretary for the Junior Chamber of Commerce in East St. Louis, and owned and operated The Midstate Cafe with her husband Joe. She volunteered with numerous churches and organizations over the years, serving on countless boards and committees. She was a longtime member of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Washington Park, where she was active in parish life, including serving as President of the Altar Sodality, and often cooked meals for the priests there. She always did whatever she could to help others, including obtaining a commercial drivers’ license because the school needed a bus driver. Later she belonged to St. Henry’s Parish in Belleville before moving to The Shrine Apartment Community, where she made many friends and took part in a multitude of activities. She also previously resided in Mt. Olive, IL, and Largo, FL. But her biggest achievement was the loving and supportive way in which she raised her six children, who spanned 21 years from oldest to youngest. She was always actively involved in their education and myriad activities. She was a devoted wife and mother.

Rosemary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Joseph Rettig, whom she married on July 15, 1944, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in East St. Louis, IL and who died on November 17, 2010; her parents William and Marcella, nee Knott, Diercks; her sister Dorothy Needham; father-in-law and mother-in-law Lawrence and Cecil, nee Wynn, Rettig; brothers-in-law Edward and Herman Rettig and Donald Needham and sister-in-law Helen Rettig; grandchild Nathan Rettig; son-in-law Michael McKinney.

She is survived by her children Richard (Lisbeth) Rettig of Swansea; David (Ruth) Rettig of Clearwater, FL; Marcia (Pat) Keefe of Belleville; Kathleen (Kyle) McKinney-Bartshe of Swansea; Bradley (Shannon) Rettig of Florida; James (Karen) Rettig of Staunton; her grandchildren Kristen and Nicole Rettig, Cecelia (Christopher) Frew; Rick (Teresa) Rettig, Belinda (Taj) Wright, Kelly Russell; Patrick (Maria Largura) Keefe, Erin (Jeff) Knitter and Colleen (Brian) Sabo; Jessica (Eric) Babb, Bryan (Niki) McKinney and Blake (A.J) McKinney; Jeremy, Tim and Eric Rettig; Ashley and Kayla Rettig, and 26 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved, honored and respected their grandmother and great-grandmother; nephew and niece.

Mom, Grandma and GG was a kind and cooperative person who always tried to do what was right and never complained. She never said an unkind word about anyone. She was a quietly-competitive card and game player, including Bingo and shuffleboard, who first learned to play bridge when she was in her 80s. An intelligent and perceptive woman, she was an avid reader who devoured books. She will be greatly missed for her pleasant demeanor and loyal friendship, her steady temperament, her strong moral compass and, most of all, her love of family.

The family wishes to express its utmost gratitude to the dedicated and compassionate personnel of Hospice of Southern Illinois and the kind and attentive staff at Parkway Gardens who looked after and cared for Rosemary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are encouraged to The Griffin Center (Catholic Urban Programs) and HSHS Home Care & Hospice of Southern Illinois.

VISITATION: Visitation from 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 24, 2021, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, 5315 W. Main St., Belleville, IL.

FUNERAL: Mass of Christian Burial at noon, Saturday, July 24, 2021, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church with Rev. Kenneth York and Rev. Stanley Konienczy concelebrating. Burial at Valhalla Gardens of Memory in Belleville.