Joseph David Rettig

Mr. Rettig was a proud and valued member of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 309 for more than 50 years. He was a 1947 graduate of Ranken Technical Institute in St. Louis. He was a World War II army veteran, serving in the northern Pacific, Alaska and Aluetian Islands. Mr. Rettig was a longtime member of St. Martin of Tours Parish in Washington Park and later a member of St. Henry’s Parish in Belleville before moving to The Shrine. He also previously resided in Mt. Olive, IL, and Largo, FL. He was a life member of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans and past president of the St. Martin’s Holy Name Society and the Ranken Alumni Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Cecil, nee Wynn, Rettig; brothers Edward and Herman Rettig and sister Helen Rettig; grandchild Nathan Rettig; son-in-law Michael McKinney.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years Rosemary, nee Diercks, Rettig, of Belleville, whom he married on July 15, 1944, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in East St. Louis, IL; his children Richard (Lizbeth) Rettig of St. Charles, MO; David (Ruth) Rettig of Gainesville, FL; Marcia (Pat) Keefe of Belleville; Kathleen (Kyle) McKinney-Bartshe of Millstadt; Bradley (Shannon) Rettig of Safety Harbor, FL; James (Karen) Rettig of Staunton, IL; his grandchildren Kristen and Nicole Rettig, Cecelia (Christopher) Frew; Rick Rettig, Belinda (Daniel) Durbin, Kelly (Devorris) Russell; Patrick and Colleen Keefe, Erin (Jeff) Keefe Knitter; Jessica (Eric) Babb, Brian (fiancé Nikki) and Blake McKinney; Jeremy (Sara), Tim (Rosalie) and Eric Rettig; Ashley and Kayla Rettig, and 11 great-grandchildren, all of whom loved, honored and respected their grandfather and great-grandfather; nephew, niece and cousins.

His number one priority in life was always his family, and he worked tirelessly to provide for them. A product of the Great Depression, he learned and never forgot the value of hard work, the importance of helping others whenever he could and to never waste anything, all of which he instilled in his children. He never met a stranger and loved talking to everyone. He will be greatly missed for his stories, his ability and willingness to fix anything, his good judgment, his strong moral compass and, most of all, his love of family. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mr. Rettigs’ Memory are encouraged to the Distressed Members’ Fund of IBEW Local 309. Online Condolences may be made to the family at www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.

Visitation; friends of the family may call from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm on Sunday, November 21, 2010 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois. And from 10:30 am until service time onMonday, November 22, 2010 at The Apartment Community Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows

Funeral; Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, November 22, 2010 at The Chapel of Our lady of the Snows at 11:15 AM., With the Reverend Stanley Konieczny and the Reverend Monsignor James Blazine officiating.

Interment: Will take place following mass at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, Illinois.

Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, Illinois.