Ronald E Pechacek

RONALD E. PECHACEK, 63, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 11:55 pm, Monday, June 12, 2017 at Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri.

He was the second child of Alvin Edward and Donna Mae (nee Kusilek) Pechacek on July 28, 1953 in River Falls, Wisconsin.

He married Pamela K. DuFrenne on July 14, 1976 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Red Bud, Illinois and they celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year.

Ron was a Funeral Director for over 40 years.  He started work at Dashner Funeral Home in Red Bud, Illinois, in 1976.  In 1984, he went to work for the Welge Funeral Home in Chester, Illinois, and purchased the business in 1990.  He owned and operated the Welge-Pechacek Funeral Home in Red Bud and Evansville and Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home in Chester for the past 27 years.  He served families in these communities with the utmost professionalism and caring and touched many peoples’ lives.  He said many times that he loved what he did.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Chester, Illinois, where he served as a Eucharistic minister and was on the cemetery committee.

Ron was very active in both the Red Bud and Chester Communities.  In Red Bud he belonged to the Jay Cees, the Red Bud Fire Department, and the Optimist Club.  He served on the board of the Chamber of Commerce.  In Chester, Ron was very active in the Chester Country Club, serving on the board, chairing tournaments, and organizing special fund-raising events.  He served on the boards of Memorial Hospital since 2009 and Buena Vista National Bank since 2005.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus #3790, the Eagles Club Aerie #3252, the Lions, and the Chester Chamber of Commerce.

In the fall of 2016, Ron and his wife Pam were honored by the Diocese of Belleville, Illinois, with the “Faith in the Marketplace” award, recognizing seven people who “walk the talk” of faith in their everyday lives.

In 2001, VFW Post 3553 recognized Ron as the “Citizen Of The Year” for service to the community of Chester, Illinois.

Ron was an avid sports fan, supporting the Chester Yellow Jackets, the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Blues, and the Green Bay Packers.  He attended sports contests as often as possible.  Ron loved golf—as a player and as a spectator.  He played in numerous charity tournaments and attended a number of professional golf tournaments, including the PGA, the Masters, and the BMW Classic.

Ron loved people.  He was a caring and loving husband and father, and an especially attentive grandfather.  He instigated many good times with family and friends, and those who were in his presence always had fun.

Survivors:

Wife:                           Pam Pechacek                                      Chester, IL

Parents:                      Alvin and Donna Pechacek                      River Falls, WI

2 Children:                  Elizabeth (Jason) Ohlau                          Red Bud, IL

Derek (Erin) Pechacek                           Columbia, IL

5 Grandchildren:          Annabeth, Julia and Liam Ohlau

Jackson and Jessa Pechacek

3 Siblings:                   Galen (Mary Jo) Pechacek                      Eagan, MN

Cindy (Dennis) Kusilek                           River Falls, WI

Roxy (Jim) Naes                                   Imperial, MO

In-laws:                      Don and Audrey DuFrenne                     Red Bud, IL

Sister-in-law:               Sherry (Tim) Lowry                              Red Bud, IL

2 Brothers-in-law:        Dean DuFrenne                                    Red Bud, IL

Michael McReynolds                           Jupiter, FL

Several Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and Friends

Preceded in death by his Grandparents Raymond and Pearl Kusilek and Theodore and Clara Pechacek  and  his Sister-in-law – Paula DuFrenne McReynolds

Funeral Mass:                         11:00 am, Saturday, June 17, 2017

St. Mary Catholic Church, Chester, Illinois

Officiating:                             Very Reverend Eugene H. Wojcik, V.F.

Msgr. Dennis Schaefer

Msgr. Carl Sherrer

Father Brett Judkins

Interment:                             St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery

Chester, Illinois

Visitation:                               Friday – 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Saturday – 7:30 am – 10:30 am

Pechacek-McClure Funeral Home, Chester, Illinois

In Lieu of Flowers, donation can be made in Ron’s memory to his grandchildren schools - St. John the Baptist Catholic School, Red Bud, Illinois or Immaculate Conception School, Columbia, Illinois or to the parish school -       St. Mary’s Catholic School, Chester, Illinois