Robert E. Bretz

Robert E. Bretz, 82, of Springfield, died at 4:50 p.m. Tuesday September 4th, 2001 at St. John's Hospice in Springfield. He was born July 21st, 1919 in Springfield, Illinois, the son of Walter and Nellie Ready Bretz. He married Maxine Campbell in Hume, Illinois February 2, 1952. Mr. Bretz was a graduate of Cathedral Boys High School. He had served as Assistant Manager of the A & P Grocery Stores in Springfield for 40 years, retiring in 1979. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus Council 364, and was a charter member of the Springfield Rod & Reel Club. He was a US Navy veteran of WWII. He was preceded in death by a daughter- Susan Marie Bretz in 1970. He was also preceded in death by his siblings- Thomas J. Bretz Sr., Herman W. Bretz Sr. Albert C. Bretz, Msgr. John Bretz, Laura E. Bolt, Charlotte F. Bretz, Jeanette C. Bretz, and Clara Bretz. Surviving is his wife- Maxine Bretz of Springfield; sons- Joseph (wife- Barbara) Bretz of Springfield, William (wife-Dawn) Bretz of Springfield, David (wife- Michele) Bretz of Springfield; daughters- Beth (husband- Ben) Brown of Springfield, and Barbara (husband- Rod) Zach of Fullerton, California; 19 grandchildren- Matthew Bretz, Mark Bretz, Kevin Bretz, Amy Bretz, Jacob Bretz, Laurel Bretz, Naomi Bretz, Lydia Bretz, Sarah Bretz, Rachel Bretz, Kimberly Bretz, Hannah Brown, Susan Brown, Timothy Zach, Sharon Zach, Philip Zach, Susanna Zach, Lydia Zach, & Joel Zach; and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 4-7:00 p.m. friday September 7th, 2001 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 South 6th Street in Springfield. There will be a prayer service at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday September 8th, 2001 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, the Very Rev. Kevin Vann VF celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, where the Interveteran Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation- 200 South Hanley, Suite 620- St. Louis, MO 63105. The family is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home.