Philip G. Feder

1929 - 2010

Philip Feder

Philip G. Feder, 80, of Belleville, Ill., born July 15, 1929, in Belleville, Ill., died Thursday, March 25, 2010, at Memorial Care Center, Belleville, Ill., surrounded by his dear grandchildren.

Mr. Feder was a retired attorney-at-law, having practiced law in Belleville for 40 years. He served as assistant attorney general for the state of Illinois for eight years. He was the Belleville city attorney for four years and the assistant state's attorney in St. Clair County for five years. Mr. Feder served as the attorney for Belleville School District 118 for four years; as attorney for Security Savings, subsequently Midwest Savings Association; and on the board of directors of Magna Trust Company from 1987 to 1997. He was a past president of the St. Clair County Bar Association and a member of the Illinois Bar Association. He was admitted to practice in the federal court system in 1957.

Philip graduated cum laude from Western Military Academy in Alton, Ill., where he was elected to the National Honor Society for superior scholastic achievement. He received both his undergraduate degree and his law degree from St. Louis University. His education at St. Louis University Law School was interrupted in 1952, when he was called to active duty in the United States Army.

He was active in local politics, serving as a Democratic precinct committeeman from 1973 to 2004 and as chairman of the Belleville Area Democratic Committee for two terms.

Mr. Feder was active in St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish in Belleville from 1959 until his death. He served as usher, trustee, lector, and second grade P.S.R. teacher. He was a past president of the St. Augustine School Board. He was also active in the Catholic Diocese of Belleville. He served as an organizer, along with Father Melvin Haas, of the CCD program in the diocese in 1957, and he was appointed by the late Bishop Albert R. Zuroweste to head the Federal Aid to Education Program. He also served in many other roles, both within his parish and the diocese.

Mr. Feder was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Belleville Council 1028. He was a past president of the St. Clair County Serra Club and past district governor of Serra International. He also served as a member of the board of directors of Belleville Area Right-to-Life. He was a life member of Belleville Elks Lodge BPOE 481; a member of Catholic War Veterans Post 370; and a member of American Legion Post 58. He had also served as the "Citizenship in the Community" merit badge counselor for the Boy Scouts for 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Nicholas H. and Helen, nee Gundlach, Feder; and two grandsons, Luke and Justin Ganey.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Dorothy, nee Gramann, Feder, whom he married on Aug. 22, 1959; his daughter, Mary Jo (Andrew "Randy") Ganey of Freeburg, Ill.; his son, Eric (Lynn) Feder of Belleville, Ill.; five grandchildren, Jessica (Robert) Seebeck, Rebecca (Donnie) Millas, Nicholas and Colette Ganey, and Matthew Feder; and a great-granddaughter, Macey Leigh Millas.

Grandpa Phil will be greatly missed by all of his grandchildren and also by all of the Vandor Court kids whom he loved over the years.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staffs of Memorial Hospital and Memorial Care Center, who gave exceptional care to Mr. Feder over the years, especially in his final days and weeks. Also, the family would like to thank his physicians and his many medical specialists for their attentive care to Mr. Feder over the past several years.

Memorials may be made to the Belleville Area Right-to-Life, to the Serra Club of St. Clair County, or to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday, March 28, 2010, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill. A Serra Club ritual will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 9:30 a.m. Monday, March 29, 2010, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill., for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian burial at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, Ill., with Father Stanley Konieczny officiating. Burial will be at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Shiloh, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.