Delmar G. "Bud" Riess

1931 - 2017

Delmar Riess

Delmar George "Bud" Riess, of Swansea, Ill., was born on June 20, 1931, and at the age of 85, peacefully passed away at St. Paul's Senior Community in Belleville, Ill., on June 7, 2017.

Bud was a US Army Korean War Veteran, serving the country he loved, as a Corporal in the Infantry Division. He was a life-time member of the Korean War Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Upon completion of his Korean assignment, he returned to the Army National Guard where he continued his service for 26 years and completed his career as a First Sergeant. He worked several different jobs during his life to support his family, including Emerson Electric, School Supply Service Company and Mueller Furniture. He was also a member of the Carpenter and Teamsters Union.

Bud was a lifelong member of St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Parish, where he was a member of the Men's Choir and served for 10 years on the Bereavement Luncheon Committee with his wife of 63 years, Jane. He was an honorary member of the Swansea Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellow and a faithful participant of the Patriotic Flag Program. He loved giving back to the community in which he spent his entire life. In addition, Bud's love for St. Louis Cardinals baseball was second to none - from listening on the radio as a boy to watching all the televised games as he grew older. Let's Go Cardinals!

However, Bud's greatest attribute was his love for his wife Jane Marie Riess, nee Berkholz, and his children, James M. Riess, "Jimmy" and his wife Lisa, nee Stock, Riess, Swansea, Ill.; Robert A. Riess Sr., "Robbie" and his wife Rebecca, nee Schwarz, Riess, The Woodlands, Texas; Lawrence W. Riess, "Larry" and his wife, Becky, nee Moran, Riess, Swansea, Ill.; and his favorite, his daughter, Donna Marie, nee Riess, Coughlin, Swansea, Ill.

Bud loved the outdoors and he enjoyed fishing and gardening. He spent countless hours with his father doing both and was so generous sharing the fruits of his garden with family and friends. He was loved by all who ever met him and he never knew a stranger. From the age of 10, Bud spent his life on the property his father purchased in 1941 and where Bud and Jane built their first and only home in 1957.

Bud was preceded in his death by his parents, Fred and Norma Riess of Swansea, Ill.; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Otto and Angela Berkholz of St. Louis, Mo.; his brother, Girard (Jerry) Riess of South Houston, Texas; and his brother-in-law, William (Bill) Berkholz of O'Fallon, Missouri.

Surviving are his wife, Jane Marie, nee Berkholz, Riess, whom he married May 1st, 1954; his sister-in-law, Betty Riess of South Houston, Texas; his sister-in-law, Louise Berkholz of O'Fallon, Mo.; his extended family; and countless dear friends. Bud was blessed with 12 grandchildren, Sarah (Craig Duckworth) Holdener, Rebekah Puckett, Joshua Riess, Andrea (Brian) Russell, Ruth Mueller, Robert Jr. (Allison) Riess, Erin (Jason) Florek, Gwenevere (Joshua) Phillips, Ryan (Abby) Riess, Jessica Riess, Jennifer Riess, and Kelli Coughlin. In addition, he had 18 great-grandchildren, which he lovingly referred to as his "Bumper Crop".

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and love to the Staff at Memorial Hospital, Memorial Care Center, St. Paul's Senior Community and Hospice of Southern Illinois for their loving care and concern in Bud's final journey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in honor of Delmar George Riess to the St. Louis Chapter of Disabled American Veterans, 9700 Page Ave., Suite 101 Rm 1-096, St. Louis, Mo. 63132 or to St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Church, 200 West Harrison Street, Belleville, Ill. 62220. Condolences may be expressed to the Riess family online at www.rennerfh.com

Visitation: Family and friends are welcome to visit with the immediate family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday June 23, 2017 at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, 100 North Illinois Street, Belleville, Ill. Again on Saturday, visitation will be from 9 to 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Church.

Funeral Services: The Mass of Christian Burial will commence at 10 a.m. at St. Peter's Cathedral Catholic Church, officiated by Monsignor John Myler. A private burial will be held at a later date at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.