Stella M. Soehlke

Stella M. Soehlke, 97, of Collinsville, Ill., born March 14, 1920, in Collinsville, Ill., passed away Sunday, October 22, 2017, in Edwardsville, Ill.

Stella was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who cherished spending time with her family. Along with her family, her dedication was to her faith. She was a lifetime member at St. John Evangelical U.C.C, Collinsville, Ill., where she was a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years. She held a lifetime membership of both the State and National Congresses of PTA’s, Past President of Summit PTA and Past Officer of Collinsville Council of PTA’s. Stella and Leonard enjoyed traveling throughout the country visiting family and attending Leonard’s Army reunions. She was a spouse member of the WWII Army veteran 104th Timberwolf infantry division. Stella was a seamstress for Forest City (Martha Manning). She was active as Secretary and Treasurer for the Garment Workers Union, for 31 years she was the bookkeeper for Scope Auto Center Storage Pools Inc. and volunteered many years as an usher for The Fox Theater, St. Louis, Mo.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Leonard Soehlke, whom she married September 18, 1943; daughter, Jeanne Piesbergen; son, Alan Soehlke; parents, Edward and Caroline “Lena”, nee Wulfekuhler, Giles; brothers, David John and Benjamin Harold Giles.

Surviving are her daughters, Mary Jane Soehlke, Elizabeth Ann (Jon) Bancroft; nephew David Lee (Ida) Giles; son in law, Jack Piesbergen; daughter in law, Joan Soehlke; grandchildren, Julie (Matt) Tettaton, Jennifer (Paul) Arnotti, Jill (Chad) Champion, Jacki (Wil) Ledbetter, Alan Wayne (Lisa) Soehlke, Charles Soehlke, Angela Soehlke, Jessica Bancroft, Jordan (Alicia Mills) Bancroft and Marlene Blakeburn; great-grandchildren, Jack and Austin (Elizabeth) Tettaton, Cassie (Roger) Barnes, Gabrielle (Brandon) Hayes, Dustin (Krista) Adams, Isabella and Nicolas Arnotti, Claire and Landon Champion, Eliza, Abigail and Wyatt Ledbetter, Allisa and A.J. Soehlke, Ryan and Matthew Soehlke, Leonard Bancroft, Brett and Britnee Gibbs, Brandon Blakeburn, Angel and Alana Soehlke; great-great grandchildren, Braelynn Tettaton, Trenton Barnes, Chase Barnes, Grace Barnes, Aubrea Hayes, Bentley Hayes, Hunter Hayes, Brayden Adams, Dawsyn Adams; several nieces & nephews and by many loved ones and friends.

Memorials are designated to St. John Evangelical U.C.C and can be received at the funeral home. Condolences to the family can be expressed through this online guestbook.

Visitation: Friends may visit 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill., and from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2017, at St. John Evangelical U.C.C, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Funeral Services for Stella will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 26, 2017, at St. John Evangelical U.C.C, with Pastor Marvin Morgan and Pastor Katie Jo Bielke officiating. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery, Collinsville, Ill.

Herr Funeral Home
Collinsville, Ill.