Edward F. Wachter

1918 - 2017

Edward Wachter

Edward F. Wachter, 99, of Collinsville, Ill., born on June 28, 1918 in St. Joseph, Mo., passed away peacefully at home on August 9, 2017 at 10 a.m.

Edward graduated Christian Brothers in St. Joseph, Mo., and was in WWII from 1941 to 1945 where he served in the Pacific. He was in the reserves and retired in 1973 with the rank of Army Chief Warrant Officer.

Edward was a USDA Meat Inspector working out of the Hunter's Packaging Company in East St. Louis, Ill., where he met the love of his life, Lucille. Edward married Lucille C. Makarewicz on April 30, 1955 at St. Adalbert's Church in East St. Louis, Ill., and they recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Edward was a member of Holy Angels and St. Peter and Paul Catholic Churches where he was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He was an avid gardener and golfer, walking 18 holes every time he played. He won beautification awards for his flower beds and was very proud of his vegetable garden and fruit trees. Edward retired in 1981 and would spend many hours in his yard caring for his flowers and garden.

Edward was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille, who passed July 4, 2017; parents, Elizabeth and Frederick Wachter; brother, Jerome (Jerry) Wachter; and his sisters, Victoria (Vic) Prater, Leonilla (Lee) Dewey and Mary Josephine (Jose Marie) Sampson.

He is survived by his children, Mary (Harry) Downs, James (Kendall) Wachter and Janice (Craig) Boerm; 10 grandchildren, Richard (Heather) Downs, Matthew Downs, Jonathan Downs, Nathan (Mykel) Wachter, Nicole, nee Wachter, Wilson (Tory), Neal Wachter, Nolan Wachter, Logan Boerm, Ethan Boerm and Emilee Boerm; great-grandchildren, Aubryanna Rose Downs and Kynlee Anderson Downs; and his brother, Robert Wachter. Edward is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their thanks to St. John's Community Care and Hospice for their assistance.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Community Care and can be made at the mortuary. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.kasslyfuneral.com.

Visitation: Visitation will be held 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, Ill..

Services: Funeral Service will be held 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at Kassly Mortuary, Ltd., Fairview Heights, Ill., with Fr. John Beveridge officiating. Interment will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.

KASSLY MORTUARY, LTD., Fairview Heights, Ill.