Alfred Dickneite Sr.

Alfred Dickneite Sr., age 86, of St. Elizabeth, passed away on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. He was born in St. Elizabeth on March 15, 1927, son of the late Stephen and Katherine (Twehus) Dickneite. On June 14, 1947, in St. Elizabeth, Alfred married Irene Cecilia Wankum, who survives at the home. Alfred served in the United States Army during World War II. Alfred was the first building trades teacher in the state of Missouri. He started teaching at St. Elizabeth School in the fall of 1960 and retired in May of 1987. Alfred had served as mayor of St. Elizabeth. Alfred and his family raised turkeys from 1960 to 1992, he was also a bus driver and carpenter. He loved to go fishing and spend time with his family at his cabin on the Osage River. Alfred was a member of the St. Elizabeth American Legion and St. Lawrence Catholic Church. He is also survived by one son, Alfred Dickneite Jr. and wife Joan of St. Elizabeth; one son-in-law, Paul Ritter of St. Elizabeth; five grandchildren, Julie Bock and husband Terry of Meta, Lori Johnson and husband Jeremy of Springfield, Stephen Dickneite and fiancÈe Briana, Henry Dickneite, and Kenny Dickneite, all of St. Elizabeth; five great-grandchildren, Sophie Bock, Reagan Bock, Eli Bock, Brooklyn Johnson, and Alyssa Johnson; one sister, Louise Lepper of St. Elizabeth; and two nephews, Norbert Dickneite and wife Carol and Frank Wankum, all of St. Elizabeth. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Kathleen Ritter; one infant son, Kenneth Dickneite; one brother, Norbert Dickneite Sr.; one sister-in-law, Lucille (Berhorst) Dickneite; and three brother-in-laws, Clarence Lepper, Ben Wankum, and Henry Wankum. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in St. Elizabeth. Rev. Ben Nwosu will officiate. Interment with military honors will be in St. Lawrence Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to7 p.m., with a prayer service at 6 p.m., on Sunday, March 24, at the St. Elizabeth Community Center. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Lawrence Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Fancher-Rekus Funeral Home in St. Elizabeth. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.fancher-rekusfuneralhomes.com.