Marcella M. Rakers, 84, of New Baden, died Monday, September 18, 2006 at Clinton Manor Living Center in New Baden. She was born April 11, 1922 in Damiansville, daughter of Wilbert & Anna (Horenkamp) Billhartz, Sr. She married Richard H. "Rich" Rakers October 22, 1946 in Damiansville and he preceded her in death on March 13, 2006.

She is survived by six daughters, Kathy Rakers, Cindy Monical, Sue Whitaker and husband Fred and Martha Heinzmann, all of New Baden, Colette Knobeloch and husband Russell of Belleville and Marietta Santel and husband Don of New Memphis; four brothers, Wilbert "Bud" Billhartz and special friend Ellen Hayden and Donald Billhartz and wife Dorothy all of Belleville, David Billhartz and wife Janet of Lebanon, Mike Billhartz and wife Nancy of Smithton; one sister, Mary Bard and husband William of Renton, WA; 13 grandchildren, Philip Rakers, Gina Rakers, Tammy Haake and husband Scott, Lee Monical and wife Dawn, Sarah Monical, Trevor Whitaker, Tara Whitaker, Tyler Whitaker, Donnie Santel, Matt Santel, Jeff Santel, Dana Heinzmann and Jason Heinzmann; six great- grandchildren, Samantha Therion, Kodie Monical, Kyle Monical, Kameron Monical, Kaleb Monical and Breanna Santel; daughter-in-law, Kathy Tutka and husband Jim of Huntsville, AL; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Leona Billhartz of O'Fallon, IL, Mary Billhartz of New Baden,  Henrietta Rakers of Trenton, Leonard Fiedler, Francis "Bud" & Mary Jo Rakers, Cletus "Butch" & Margie Rakers and Henrietta Kalmer all of New Baden, and Eugenia Rensing of Fairview Heights.

In addition to her parents and her husband she was preceded in death by one son, Kenneth R. "Kenny" Rakers, three brothers, Earl Billhartz, Clarence Billhartz and Thomas Billhartz; brothers-in-law & sisters-in-law, Viola Billhartz, Oscar Rakers, Alvin Rakers, Henry "Hank" Rakers, Anna Rakers, Gerald Rakers, Gertrude "Goldie" Rakers, Flora Fiedler, Hubert Kalmer, Sr., and Ben Rensing.

Mrs. Rakers was a homemaker. She was a member of St. George Parish and Altar Sodality.

A funeral mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 21, 2006 at St. George Catholic Church in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating. Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in New Baden.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 20, 2006 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, September 21, 2006 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden. There will be a prayer service at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Research or to St. George Parish and will be received at the funeral home.