Eugene J. "Gene" Loepker, 86, of Bartelso, died Thursday, September 12, 2013 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Breese.

He was born August 14, 1927 in Bartelso to Bernard and Adelinda (Bach) Loepker: they preceded him in death.

Also preceded in death by a sister Cecilia Wessling, father-in-law and mother-in-law Leo and Eleonora (Huene) Jantzen, brothers-in-law Ed Wessling, Tom Jantzen, Jim Schlueter, Regi Detmer

He married Ruth Jantzen May 14, 1969 in Flora, IL and she survives in Bartelso.

Also surviving are his children Linda Loepker of Bartelso, Landon (Charity) Loepker of Carlyle, Luke (Jill) Loepker of Beckemeyer, Leslie (Jim) Rabe of Coulterville.

3 grandchildren Emily Ripperda, Kailynne Rabe, Caden Loepker.

Sisters-in-law Mary (Brent) Heier of Trenton, Jane (Dan) Rosen of Highland, Julie Detmer of Breese, Sue (Jim) LeRoy of MN.

A godchild Linda Nolte of Iuka.

Gene was a retired truck driver, logger and carpenter.

Member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Bartelso, American Legion Post 976 in Bartelso, Catholic Holy Family Society. He enjoyed gardening and an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Monday September 16, 2013 at 2:00 PM at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Bartelso with Fr. James Buerster officiating. Interment St. Cecilia Cemetery.

Visitation will be Monday September 16 from 11:00 am to 1:45 pm at St. Cecilia Church in Bartelso.

Moss Funeral Home in Breese handling the arrangements.