Elroy Rule

Elroy Rule
Elroy C. Rule, 82, of Millstadt, Ill., formerly of Belleville, Ill., born Dec. 14, 1926, in Belleville, Ill., died Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.
Mr. Rule was the retired business manager for the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate where he worked for fifty-one years. Elroy was a member of St. James Catholic Church, Millstadt, Ill., and was past-president of Our Lady of the Snows Layman's Association, and was initiated as an Honorary Oblate of Mary Immaculate on Feb. 17, 1995. He originated the idea for the "Way of Lights" at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows, which brings in more than 350,000 visitors annually.. Elroy was also a World War II U.S. Army veteran.
Elroy lived a dedicated and joyful life through his family and friends. He was known for his quick wit and often entertained them with his stories, jokes, and attempts at being a magician. He had the ability to make everyone feel special. Each of his children felt that he or she was "his favorite."
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Joanne E., nee Sax, Rule; a daughter, Barb Karban; one grandson, Andy Rule in infancy; two great-grandchildren, Emily and Evan Nowels, his parents, Jesse L. and Frances, nee Klingler, Rule; and a sister, Marilyn Guenther.
Surviving are his wife, Elizabeth "Betty," nee McKnight, Rule, whom he married Dec. 21, 1991; 13 children, Dr. Ann (Steve Munie) Rule, and John Rule, both of Belleville, Ill., James (Cheryl) Rule, and Thomas (Debbie) Rule, both of Caseyville, Ill., Robert (Cheri) Rule of Waterloo, Ill., Mary "Sue" (John) Davis, of San Jose, Calif., Joseph (Pam) Rule, of Belleville, Ill., Richard (Patty) Rule of Shiloh, Ill., Michael (Nancy) Rule, of Caseyville, Ill., Jane (Robert) Miller of Shiloh, Ill., Patricia (Marty) Martz of Caseyville, Ill., Ellen "Jody" (Chris) Vasquez of Little Rock, Ark., Margaret "Peggy" (Pace) Belongy of Shiloh, Ill., and a step-daughter, Debbie Conklin; thirty eight grandchildren, Stephanie Munie, Kristie Nowels, Michael Karban, Dan and Tim Rule, Aaron and Casey Rule, Jason Rule, Jamie Tredway, Joanne Radford, Ann, Robert, Jody Lynn and Jessica Rule, Gayle Schulte, Adam, Tony and Justin Rule, Ryan, Jeff, Georgie, and Derrick Rule, Katie and Joseph Rule, Jenny Kirk, Matt, Lauren, Sara, and Megan Miller, Katie Jo and Elena Martz, Louis and Michael Vasquez and Abby, Alex, and Ben Belongy; step-grandchildren, Christopher and Josh Conklin; great-grandchildren, Lydia, Maddy and Calvin Nowels, Sean and Dillon Rule, Payton Rule, Mason Radford and Owen Rule; and a brother, John L. (Josie) Rule, of Belleville, Ill.
Memorials may be made to the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Per his request Mr. Rule donated his body to St. Louis University Medical School.

Visitation: Friends may visit with the Rule family from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill., and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at the Shrine Church.

Funeral: A Memorial Mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2009, at the Shrine Church at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows with Father David Kalert, Father Jim Taylor, Father Jim Buerster, and Father Allan Mayes officiating.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.