Louis J. "Bozo" Markus, 94, of Aviston, died Friday, March 13, 2009 at Countryside Manor in Aviston. He was born on the family homestead in Aviston on September 4, 1914 to Benedict and Sophia (Hilmes) Markus, Sr., the third oldest of eight children. He married his wife of 58 years, Marie Henken on November 8, 1941 in Highland and she preceded him in death on December 11, 1999.

Bozo is survived by his eight children, Carol Wieter of Breese, Robert (Polly) Markus of Phoenix, AZ, James (Kathy) Markus, Ivan (Bonnie) Markus, Sandy (Marlin) Fix, all of Aviston, Joan (Paul) Jinks of Belleville, David (Rita) Markus and Roger Markus all of Aviston; 19 grandchildren, Gary (Kim) Langenhorst, Missy (Perry) Gaskill, Debbie (Luke) Fields, Neysa (Kevin) Schwend, Gayla Reynolds, Kyle (Jennay) Wieter, Tony Markus, Nick Markus, Rachel Markus, Scott (Deonna) Markus, Stacey (Shannon) Boruff, Steve Markus, Gwen (Jacob) Yancy, Scott (Myndi) Svoboda, Brett (Laral) Svoboda, Todd (Elaine) Fix, Kim (Matt) Bitter, Jennifer (Jeremy Van Ess) Jinks, and Angie (Matt) Leifer; 31 great- grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Andrew "Bud" (Bernadine) Markus and a sister, Renee Ratermann all of Aviston; and a special friend, Carrie Dorries of Breese.

In addition to his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a great- granddaughter; three brothers, Lawrence F. "Snick" Markus, Robert "Perp" Markus, and Benedict Markus, Jr.; two sisters, Frances Deimeke and Helen Huber; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Verena Markus, Dorothy Markus, Otto Ratermann, Ollie Deimeke and Ray Huber; and a son-in-law, Paul Wieter.

Louis’s father died when he was only 10 and he and all of his brothers & sisters helped support the family by doing odd jobs around town. Louis’s life then took him down many roads: a furniture maker in Flora, IL, an ammunition machine inspector at the Small Arms Plant in St. Louis, MO, a grocery store owner, land owner and developer, and he was one of the original founding fathers of Markus Cabinet Manufacturing. Most of his life was spent as a cabinet maker. He and Marie loved to travel the country. This was usually done on the pretext of visiting their son Bob in Phoenix, AZ; although they had been know to head out west by traveling east. In 1954 Bozo invested in his first mutual fund through the recommendation of a client. He became enthralled with the stock market and soon became an avid investor which would last throughout his lifetime. He instilled this money-saving value into his children. When Bozo was asked what he was most proud of during his 94 year life span, he said it was simple. His proudest moments of accomplishment came in sharing his life with his wife, Marie, and watching his children grow and learn to become productive members of society. His greatest joy in his later years was spending time with his great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, and, of course, the pups, Lady and Tramp.

Bozo was a remarkable man and his easy-going nature and unbelievable memory made him well-known throughout the county. Bozo will be missed, but the love and life lessons he leaves with us will keep our hearts and spirits eternally entwined.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Aviston with Rev. Dan Friedman officiating. Interment will follow at St. Francis Cemetery in Aviston.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2009 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at Hempen Funeral Home in Aviston. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice and will be received at the funeral home.