Carl B. “Dede” Portell, 95, Festus

Carl B. “Dede” Portell, 95, of Festus died Aug. 17, 2021, at de Greeff Hospice House in south St. Louis County. Mr. Portell was a retired Crystal City Post Office postmaster. He served in the U.S. Navy in WWII. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Crystal City and the Knights of Columbus 1230. He also served as the Boy Scouts of America institutional representative for the Knights of Columbus Boy Scout Troop 425. Born March 8, 1926, in Crystal City, he was the son of the late Frank Andrew “Andy” and Emma Philomena (Beck) Portell.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years: Rita (Bauman) Portell; five sons: Dan (Linda) Portell of Festus, Geary (Donna) Portell of De Soto, Drew (Mickey) Portell of Festus, Kevin (Tammie) Portell of Festus and Shawn Portell of St. Louis; a daughter: Renee (Fred) Runzi of Festus; two brothers: John (the late Loretta) Portell of Festus and Richard “Dick” (Connie) Portell of Festus; 15 grandchildren; and 24 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters: Becky (the late Ben) Bowden and Vernell (the late Courtland “Bus”) Ivy; two brothers: Clifford (the late Marilyn) Portell and Franklin (the late Ruth) Portell; and a great-grandson: William Francis Lang.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 19) at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W Main, in Festus. A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Friday (Aug. 20) at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 555 Bailey Road, in Crystal City, officiated by Father Gregory Klump. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Crystal City with full military honors. Memorials may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Sacred Heart Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.