Stephen Rakers

Stephen Rakers
Stephen Christopher Rakers, 26, of Belleville, Ill., born Sept. 20, 1981, in Belleville, Ill., died Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008, at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Belleville, Ill.
Stephen was a laborer and a graduate of Belleville West High School. He was an organ donor in death to give other people a chance at life.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Mark Andrew Rakers; and his paternal grandparents, Cornelius and LaVera, nee Engelmann, Rakers.
Surviving are his two children, Anthony and Sheridan Rakers, both of Belleville, Ill.; his parents, Roger L. and Donna S., nee Juengel, Rakers of Belleville, Ill.; four brothers, Roger R. Rakers of Belleville, Ill., Neil (Kisha) Rakers of Fairview Heights, Ill., Brian Rakers of Belleville, Ill., and Nathan (Jamie) Rakers of Fairview Heights, Ill.; two sisters, Anna Rakers and Lori Rakers, both of Belleville, Ill.; his maternal grandparents, Andrew and Dorthea, nee Underwood, Juengel of Belleville, Ill.; his former wife, Alisha, nee Combs, Rakers of Belleville, Ill.; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to an educational fund for Stephen's children or in the form of Masses. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, Ill.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11, 2008, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, Ill., with Father Stanley Konieczny and Father John Myler concelebrating. Burial will be at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Freeburg, Ill.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.