[Source: Daily Advocate newspaper]
Obituaries Donated By Karen Souhrada souhrada@bigfoot.com
Pfc. Leslie Koudelka, 29, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dan Koudelka, North
Forty-fifth Street, who was reported missing in action in France since July
20, is now listed as dead, according to a telegram received by the parents
from the War Department last night.
Pfc. Koudelka, a machine gunner in the Infantry, was drafted into the
service on July 7, 1942, and has been overseas since last April. He
participated in the invasion of France.
He was not married and leaves besides his parents one brother, Jerry, 4925
West Main street; and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. [....missing end of
article...]
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[Source: Belleville, Illinois newspaper;estimate on date to abt. 1966;
provided by Anna Rose Walta, from the files of her mother, Mrs. Julia Walta.
The subject is the grandson of WILLIAM & MARIE WALTA/VALTA of Belleville,
Illinois]
DAN KOUDELKA, 74, COAL MINER, DIES
DAN KOUDELKA, 74, a retired coal miner of 211 North 47th Street, was
pronounced dead upon arrival at 2:50 a.m. Sunday at Memorial Hospital. He
was stricken at his home and was rushed to the hospital in a Pete Gaerdner
ambulance. Mr. KOUDELKA had been under the care of a physician.
He was born in Czechoslovakia October 27, 1892, and was a son of the late
CARL and MARIE [nee WALTA/VALTA] KOUDELKA. He married LOUISE KOUDELKA in
St. Louis in 1914. Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, JERRY
KOUDELKA, 17 Dennis Drive; two grandchildren, Mrs. NORMA BILLHARTZ and
Patrolman MILTON KOUDELKA; six great-grandchildren; a brother, FRANK
KOUDELKA, Okawville; and a sister, VLASTA, wife of CHARLES SCHIELD of
Houston. Another son, LESLIE KOUDELKA, was killed in action in World War
II, and a sister and two brothers preceded him in death.
He was a member of St. Henry Church and the Czechoslovakian Society. The
funeral will be held at 9:40 a.m. Wednesday from the Pete Gaerdner Funeral
Home to St. Henry Church where the pastor, Msgr. Leonard BAUER, will
officiate at services at 10: a.m. Burial will be in Valhalla Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home after 7:00 p.m. Monday. The
pallbearers will be WARREN BILLHARTZ, OTTO BOSSLER, ANDREW KIRKWOOD, JERRY
KOUDELKA, JOSEPH LIDISKY and JOHN SCHIELD.
[Obit Notice posted in the News-Democrat newspaper of Belleville, Illinois;
written by Cheryl Eaton; 1988]
LOUISE KOUDELKA, a 101 year old Belleville resident and native of
Czechoslovakia, died Wednesday at the Four Fountains Convalescent Center.
Louise Koudelka was born February 28, 1887, in Czechoslovakia, her grandson
MILTON KOUDELKA, said. Louise Koudelka married a cousin, DAN KOUDELKA, who
immigrated to the United States. Louise Koudelka stayed in Czechoslovakia
with their son, JERRY KOUDELKA, while Dan Koudelka worked in the Southern
Illinois coalmines, saving enough money to bring his wife and son to
America.
Louise Koudelka joined her husband in the U. S. in 1912, leaving her son
with relatives until enough money was saved to pay for his way said grandson
Milton Koudelka, 62, of Belleville.
My dad (Jerry Koudelk) was about 12 years old when he came to the country.
They came one at a time because they couldn't afford to come together. I
don't know how they made it over here." Milton Koudelka said.
Louise Koudelka was happy living in the United States and soon learned to
speak English, but she spoke Bohemian when she got the opportunity, Milton
Koudelka said.
One of the things at which she excelled was cooking.
"She could cook. When she cooked supper, she started in the morning and
cooked until it was done in the evening. It wasn't one of those 10-minute
meals," Milton Koudelka said.
Louise Koudelka was preceded in death by her husband and two sons, Jerry
and LESLIE KOUDELKA. She is survived by two grandchildren - Milton Koudelka
and NORMA BILHARTZ of Richardson, Texas - and four great-grandchildren.
A private funeral service will be held Friday at the Pete Gaerdner Funeral
Home in Belleville. Burial will be in the Valhalla Gardens of Memory in
Belleville.
[Source: Unnamed Newspaper from Belleville, IL]
Karl Koudelka Dies In Belleville
Karl Koudelka, 83, of 106 East Caroline street, Belleville, died at 1:30
p.m. Thursday (Aug 18, 1949) in St. Elizabeth's hospital, Belleville,
following a lengthy illness. He was born in Czechoslovakia and was a
long-time Belleville resident. He was a retired coal miner. Rev. R.J.
Herman will conduct services at 2 p.m. Saturday in Gaerdner
chapel with burial in Walnut Hill cemetery.
[Death notice from Unamed Newspaper source; January 1948]
MARIE KOUDELKA, 76, Dies; Funeral Services Monday
Mrs. Marie Koudelka, 76, of 4925 West Main Street, died at her home at 8:25
last night after an extended illness. She was seriously ill four weeks.
Mrs. Koudelka was born in Czechoslovakia, June 17, 1871, a daughter of
Waclav and Marie (nee Hanus) Walta, and married Karel Koudelka in
Czechoslovakia, February 2, 1890.
Mr. and Mrs. Koudelka came to this country in 1904, settling in Belleville.
Koudelka is a retired coal miner. They celebrated their golden wedding
anniversary in 1940.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Koudelka is survived by three sons and two
daughters, Dan, of 211 North Forth-seventh Street; Joseph, of Chicago;
Vlasta, wife of Charles Schield, of 106 East Caroline Street, Swansea; Rose,
wife of Frank Sedlack, of Taylorville, and Frank, of 1713 Garden Street,
Swansea. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Olga, and two sons, Lonny
and William. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, nine
great-grandchildren and a brother, Frank Walta, of Auburn Grass Valley,
California. Three sisters preceded her in death.
The body is at the Pete Gaerdner funeral home where friends may call after
one o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Funeral Services will be held at the
Gaerdner chapel at two o'clock Monday afternoon. Interment will be in
Walnut Hill cemetery.
[Obituary Notice ; Belleville Advocate June 16,1927 (p9 c5).]
Vaclav Walta, 85 years old, died at his home on the Caseyville road, a
short distance northwest of this city, Wednesday night at 9:15 o'clock,
after a long illness, due to old age. He leaves a total of 78 descendants.
The deceased was born in Bohemia,September 12, 1839, and came to this
country many years ago. The following children survive: Mrs. Rose Ledicky,
Frank Walta, Mrs. Marie Koudelka, and Mrs. Elizabeth Soukop, of this city,
and Mrs. Albi Beckman, of Benton; 34 grandchildren and 39 great
grandchildren.
The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock from the Bux
chapel to Walnut Hill cemetery."
[Source Daily Advocate newspaper, November 15, 1941]
Mrs. Elizabeth Soukup, 65, of 1706 Garden Street, Swansea, died at 8:5 this
morning at St. Elizabeth hospital after being ill two weeks.
Born in Austria, May 4, 1876, she was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs.
William Walta. She was the widow of Frank Soukup, who died in 1917.
She leaves two sons and six daughters, Marie, wife of Ignatz Sorgman; Anna,
wife of Elmer Hageman, both of Detroit; Rose, wife of Monroe Haemann, of
1711 Garden Street; Edna, wife of Elmer Ford, of Overland, MO; Vlasta, wife
of Elmer Mineminn, of 700 Gilbert Street; Mildred, wife of Walter Popek, of
Evansville, Indiana; Frank Hartman, of Chicago; William Soukup, of St.
Louis; and nine grandchildren.
Also surviving are a brother and three sisters, Frank Walta, of Walter
Street; Mrs. Marie Koudelka, of West Main street; Mrs. Rose Lidisky of rulal
route 2; Mrs. Alberta Pechman, of Chicago.
The body may be viewed after 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Pete Gaerdner
funeral home. Funeral services will be held there at 2 o'clock Tuesday
afternoon. Rev. B. J. Koehler officiating, with interment in Walnut Hill
cemetery.
[Interment notice from the Daily Advocate newspaper:]
Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Soukup, 65, of Swansea, were held this
afternoon at the Pete Gaerdner funeral home, Rev. B. J. Koehler officiating
with interment in Walnut Hill cemetery. Pallbearers were Ignatz Sorgman,
Elmer Hageman, Monroe Haeman, Elmer Ford, Elmer Minnemin, Walter Popek, all
sons-in-law. The Daily Advocate, Belleville, IL 18 Nov 1941
[Another obit notice stated that Elizabeth resided at 1706 Garden Street,
Swansea, Illinois. She left two sons and six daughters:Marie, Anna, Rose,
Edna, Vlasta, Mildred, Frank Hartman, William, and 9 grandchildren. Also
surviving are one brother(Frank Walta of Walter Street, Swansea); Marie
Koudelka of West Main Street; Mrs. Rose Lidisky of RR 2, Swansea; Mrs.
Alberta Pechman of Chicago.]
[Death notice from "Daily Advocate" newspaper of Belleville, IL]
Died 10/20/1917; born in Austria, 1879. Married Elizabeth Walter [nee
Walta/Valta; M1 Hartmann, M2 Soukup], 1904. Emigrated to US [1904]; a
member of UMWA. Committed suicide by hanging self. He is survived by wife
and children: WILLIAM, FRANK, Jr.[stepson HARTMANN], VALESTA, MARIE
[stepdaughter HARTMANN], ANNIE, ROSIE, EDNA, ......, & MILDRED; also 3
brothers and 1 sister.
[Obit Notice from Unnamed Newspaper; dated December 1957)]
FRANK WALTA, 88, Retired Miner, dies
Frank Walta, 88 year old retired coal miner and former resident of 1511 N.
Illinois Street, Swansea, died at 8:15 o'clock this morning at the Rest
Haven Nursing Home, 4400 N. Belt West, where he had been a resident for the
past five months. Death followed an extended illness.
Born in Czechoslovakia on August 7, 1869, he was the son of the late Vaclav
and Anne [wrong: Marie] Walta, and married Katherine Dittrt in
Czechoslovakia. His wife died in 1922.
Surviving are five children, Fred Walta, 2209 Caseyville Avenue; Mrs.
Bessie Tuma and Joseph Walta, St. Louis; Tony Walta, 923 West Main Street
and Charles Walta, residing in Wyoming; 20 grandchildren and 21
great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by three sons, Frank, who
died last October 2, and John and Dan, a daughter, Mary, and four sisters.
Mr. Walta was a member of the local Lodge 107, Czechoslovakian Society of
America and Belleville's Local No. 4, Progressive Mine Workers of America.
---
[Funeral Arrangements on page 11:]
The funeral of Frank Walta, 88 year old retired coal miner who died Saturday
morning at Rest Haven Nursing Home, will be held at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon
from Pete Gaerdner Funeral Home to Walnut Hill Cemetery. The Rev. Dr. B. J.
Koehler, pastor of St. Paul's United Church of Christ, will officiate and
the pall-bearers will be: Roy Miller, Gene Ward, Robert, Fred and Raymond
Walta and Howard Lexa.
--
[Obituary Notice from Unnamed Newspaper in Belleville, IL]
Mrs. Lidisky Dies in Belleville; Aged 78 [she was 80 years old by birth
records]
Mrs. Rosalie Lidisky, 78, died Wednesday (Jul 9, 1947) in St. Elizabeth's
hospital, Belleville, three and a half hours after she had been admitted as
a patient. Mrs. Lidisky suffered a heart ailment. She lived with her
daughter Mrs. Mary Beller, 2109 East Main street, Belleville. Mrs Lidisky
was born in Czechoslovakia and had lived in
Belleville for more than 30 years. She leaves nine children Charles, of
rural route 4, Belleville; Joseph,Belleville; William, rural route 2,
Belleville; Mrs. Clara Benesh, Mrs. Anna Sivacil, Mrs. Juanita Batha, Mrs.
Mary Beller, Mrs. Rose Kirkwood, and Mrs. Patricia Bossler, all of
Belleville; one sister Mrs. Marie Koudelka, Bellewille; one brother Frank
Valta, Grass Valley, Calif.; 21 grandchildren, and 11 great-great
grandchildren.
----
[Source: from Unnamed Newspaper, provided by descendant Anna Rose "Dollie"
Valta/Walta, January 1999:]
IN MEMORIAM
In loving memory of our mother, Rosalie Lidisky who passed away 25 years
ago, July 9, 1947. Though 25 years have passed away since that sad and
mournful day.
Your loving hearts will always linger, around the silent grave where you
lay.
If we had all the world to give, we'd give it yes and more to hear your
sweet voice and see your smile.
Or greet you at the door.
We'll never forget our mother's love, it's in our hearts to stay.
We know you are watching over us, and guarding us on our way.
Sadly missed by her children and all who loved her."
[Source: Belleville, Illinois newspaper dated to abt. 1972. Saved by Anna
Rose Walta, from the files of her mother Mrs. Julia Walta]
CHARLES LIDISKY Found Dead Here; Rites Saturday
CHARLES A. LIDISKY, 80, a retired coal miner, was found dead in the garage
of his home, 5326 North Illinois Street, at 5:40 p.m. Wednesday by his
sister, Mrs. MARY BELLER, 2921 West Main Street, and husband, CHARLES
BELLER. Death was due to asphyxiation, according to Deputy Coroner Pete
Gaerdner, who said Mr. LIDISKY had been dead for at least 12 hours. Doors
and windows in the garage were closed and the motor of the car was running.
Mr. and Mrs. BELLER said Mr. LIDISKY had been despondent because of the
deaths of his wife and a brother. Mrs. Beller said she had talked by
telephone to her brother on Tuesday and that he seemed to be moody.
Mr. LIDISKY was born in Czechoslovakia on April 4, 1892, a son of the late
WILLIAM and ROSALIE LIDISKY [nee VALTA/WALTA]. He married BELLE KADLEC in
Belleville on June 16, 1918. She died February 7, 1967. Surviving are a
brother, JOSEPH LIDISKY, 319 South Eighth Street; and six sisters, Mrs.
CLARA BENESH, 418 East D Street; Mrs. ANNA SWACIL, 4812 Walter Street; Mrs.
YARMILLA BATHA, 445 Avery Hill; Mrs. BELLER; Mrs. ANDREW KIRKWOOD, 1018
Caseyville Avenue; and Mrs. OTTO BOSSLER, 1913 Lebanon Avenue. He was
preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters.
The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday from the Pete Gaerdner
Funeral Home to Walnut Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home
after 7: 00 p.m. today.
[Unnamed Newspaper from Belleville, Illinois; provided by relative Mildred
Soukup Brosnick]
Obituary notice for CLARA LIDISKY BENESH, posted in newspaper dated Tuesday,
July 28, 1998
CLARA BENESH, nee LIDISKY, age 104, of Belleville, Illinois, born April 21,
1894, in the town of Osek, Czech Republic, died Sunday, July 26, 1998, at
the Lincoln Nursing Home, Belleville, Illinois.
Mrs. Benesh came to the United States of America in 1910 at the age of 16.
Being able to talke German as well as Czech, she worked as a housegirl in
St. Louis, MO., for the Collins family and the Anheuser family of beer fame.
She married JERRY BENESH in St. Louis, MO., in 1913, with whom she had
eight children; their first pair of twins died at the age of 1 year. Her
husband, Jerry, died in 1936 at the age of 46 and left her with six
children, the youngest being 9 years of age.
Besides her husband, preceding her in death were three sons, CHARLES,
JERRY jr., and WILLIAM; a daughter, HELEN; three brothers, CHARLES, JOSEPH
and WILLIAM LIDISKY; and four sisters, ANNA (SWANCIL), JARMILA (BATHA),
MARY (BELLAR) and PATRICIA (BOSSLER).
Surviving are a son FRANK (YARMILLA) BENESH of Maryville, Illinois; a
daughter, GEORGINA BENESH of Jacksonville, Illinois; 11 grandchildren,
RICHARD (SANDY) BENESH of Jonesboro, Arkansas, LARRY (NANCY) BENESH of
Maryville, IL, JANICE (DAVID) KROETER of Jonesboro, Arkansas, BOBBIE JEAN
BENESH, DEBORAH BENESH, JUDY (BILL) BENTON of Cahokia, IL, PATRICIA (JACK)
OLSEN, JAYNE BENISH, CHARLES (CATHY) BENISH and MICHAEL BENISH, all of
Minnesota and DIANA WEST of Colorado; 23 great grandchildren; 8 great great
grandchildren; a sister, ROSE KIRKWOOD of Anna, IL; a sister-in-law, SYLVIA
LIDISKY of Fairview Heights, IL; daughters-in-law; and many nieces and
nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Czech
Educational Center, 4690 Lansdowne, St. Louis, MO 63116, or the
Czechoslovak Society of America Scholarship Fund, 122 W. 22nd Street, Oak
Brook, IL 60521-1557.
Funeral from the Kassly Mortuary, Fairview Heights, IL. Funeral
services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 30, 1998 at the Kassly
Mortuary Chapel with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Interment will be in
the Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
[Death notice from Unnamed Newspaper]
Jarmila "Millie" Batha, nee Lidisky, 94, of Belleville, died Sunday, May 10,
1992 at St. Elizabeth's Hospital.
She was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, CSA Lodge Estlian #404
[Czech Society of America].
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Batha; parents Vaclav and
Rosalia, nee Valta, Lidisky; four brothers, Frank, Charles, Joseph, and
William Lidisky; two sisters, Anna Swacil, and Pat Bossler.
Surviving are four children, Helen Marie Randle, Frank M. Batha, Mrs. Glen
(Juanita) Kaemmerer, Mrs. William (Vilma) Meier, all of Belleville; three
sisters, Clara Benesh of Belleville, Mary Beller of Belleville, r=Rose
Kirkwood of Anna, IL; six grandchildren, Frank M. Batha Jr.; C. Valorie
Gansmann, Carlyle "Casey" Batha, Glen E. Kaemmerer Jr.; Kevin K. Kaemmerer,
Barry Randle and dight great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 a.m. Tuesday at Kurzus Funeral Home
Chapel with Rev. Dan Patterson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Hope
Cemetery. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church or to the CSA
Scholarship Fund.
[Death Notice from Unnamed Newspaper, Belleville, IL; dated March 1994]
Mary K. Beller, nee Lidisky, 92, of Belleville, Illinois, born October 8,
1901, in Czechoslovakia, died Friday, March 11, 1994, at St. Elizabeth's
Hospital in Belleville, Illinois. Mrs. Beller was the retired
owner/operator of Beller Confectionary in Swansea, IL; a member of St. Paul
United Church of Christ and the 55 Plus Club at the church.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles "Jack" Beller; parents,
William and Rosalie, nee Walta, Lidisky; a daughter in infanty, Rosalie
Beller; four brothers, Frank, Bill, Joe and Charlie Lidisky; and three
sisters, Pat Bossler, Millie Batha and Annie Swacil.
Surviving are two sons, Frank (Wildamae) Brestal and James (Margaret)
Brestal, both of Belleville, IL; two sisters, Clara Benesh of Belleville,
IL, and rose Kirkwood of Anna, IL; six grandchildren, Willard "Bill" (Joan)
Brestal, Robert C. (Janet) Brestal, Mary Ann "Toni" (Carl) Sansone, Barbara
McGhee, Berkeley (Martyn) Lucas and Brooks (Kim) Brestal; eight great
grandchildren, Harold and Daniel Brestal, Jennifer and Kimberley Brestal,
Christopher and Jeffrey Playter, Aimee Playter, Jade McGhee, Christopher
Tutza and Olivia Brestal; a great-great-grandchild, Brandon Brestal; and a
sister-in-law, Sylvia Lidisky.
Cremation will be held at Valhalla Crematory in Belleville, IL. There will
be no visitation or funeral services, per Mrs. Beller's request.
Arrangements by Pete Gaerdner Funeral Home, Belleville. Memorials may be
made to the donor's choice.