Vernon H. Billhartz, 72, of New Baden, died Sunday, August 16, 2009 at his home. He was born December 2, 1936 in New Baden, son of Henry and Ida (Singler) Billhartz. He married Jo Ann Mayer on September 16, 1961 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville and she preceded him in death on January 4, 1989. On August 31, 1996 he married Pauline (Huelsman) Klostermann in New Baden and she survives in New Baden.

In addition to his loving wife, Pauline, he is survived by his children, Pamela Billhartz of New Baden, Cynthia (Vahe) Gregorian of St. Louis, MO, and Diana (Mike) Woolsey of Glen Carbon; two grandchildren, Braden and Brent Woolsey; three sisters, Ella Mae Voss of New Baden, Arlene (Hugo) Schulte of Belleville, and Carol Ann Billhartz of Damiansville; four step children, Daniel (Catherine) Klostermann of Highland, Joyce (Alan) Lande of Woodstock, Yvonne (Phil) Hallemann, and Brenda (Dan) Segrist all of Pierron, and Jackie (Richard) Pitt of Jonesville, VA; nine step grandchildren, Mallory & Adam Klostermann, Jonathan & Erica Lande, Jessica, Alicia, and Amber Jo Hallemann, Samantha Segrist, and Bradley Pitt; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Margie Billhartz of Breese, Genny & Virgil Endres of Branson, MO, Dorothy Hasenstab of Belleville, Herb Huelsman of Seymore, TN, Edna Niebur of Edwardsville, Evelyn Pakosta of Trenton, Connie Street of St. Louis, MO, and Rita (Jim) Sullivan of Trenton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, a sister, Lucille Karpel; two brothers, Norbert Billhartz and Ralph Billhartz; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law, Frankie Voss, Robert Karpel, Earl Hasenstab, Margie Huelsman, Mel Niebur, and Fred Pakosta.

Mr. Billhartz worked for Ace Metal in New Baden, the Oakland Stove Foundry in Belleville and the Ford Motor Assembly Plant in Hazelwood, Mo as a test driver. After his retirement he worked for Local 325 in Hazelwood, MO. He was a member of St. George Parish in New Baden, the New Baden Knights of Columbus Council 10311, Bishop Altoff 4^th Degree Assembly 193, New Baden Senior Citizens, and the Local 325 in St. Louis, MO. He was a veteran of the United States Army.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at St. George Church in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Burial will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery in Belleville.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 18, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. There will be a parish prayer service at 4 p.m.. senior citizens service at 5 p.m.,  and a Knights of Columbus 4^th Degree Chalice Service at 7 p.m. all Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Clinton County Relay for Life or Heartland Hospice and will be received at the funeral home.