Fred Wehrle

Fred Wehrle
Fred J. Wehrle, 73, of St. Louis, Mo., born March 26, 1935, in Belleville, IL, died peacefully Monday, Nov. 17, 2008, in his home after a long struggle with cancer.
Fred's father partnered with his brother, Leroy A. Wehrle, in the Wehrle Jewelry Store, which stood at 16 East Main Street in Belleville for many years. Fred's great-grandfather, Joseph Wehrle, had emigrated from Germany to Belleville in the late 1840's and established the jewelry store on the Square in 1859.
Fred's father and mother were both artists, and he followed in their footsteps, receiving his fine arts degree from Washington University in 1957. After serving in the U.S. Army, he began his lifelong work in advertising at Boyd's Men's Store and then moved to Skruggs, Vandervort, and Barney. His next position was at Stix, Baer, and Fuller, where he was creative director. During his long and successful tenure with Stix, he produced his famous fashion ads in collaboration with the well-known photographer, Victor Skrebneski, in Chicago. He then became art director for Famous-Barr, where he served with distinction for 27 years, retiring in 2005. Three times he received "Best in Show" for his work in St. Louis area advertising design. He also received national recognition several times for the excellence and creativity of his work.
Fred loved to play the piano and was known for his love of the arts, especially for his beloved Opera Theatre of St. Louis. He attended and supported the St. Louis Opera from its inception through more than 25 years of excellence. He also enjoyed concerts by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and piano recitals at Webster University. Many people knew Fred and delighted in his love of life and the arts, along with his ever-present wit and acerbic humor. He traveled widely around the world with his good friends, Dr. Seth and Ricky Wissner.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eleanor, nee Snyder, Wehrle and Fred Wehrle.
Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Roy and JoAnn Wehrle of Springfield, Ill.; his niece and her husband, Chandra and Tim Gravit, and their two children, Kurt and Kyle, of Chicago, Ill.; his nephew, Lon Wehrle of Chicago, Ill.; and a large family of friends.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Salvation Army of St. Louis or to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Condolences may be expressed online at www.rennerfh.com.

Funeral: A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at Unity Christ Church on the corner of Skinker and Forsyth Boulevards in St. Louis, Mo. A reception will be held at his apartment following the service.

GEORGE RENNER & SONS FUNERAL HOME, Belleville, Ill.