Delbert Thomas Wideman, 88, of St. Clair, formerly of Hillsboro, died Sept. 23, 2019. Mr. Wideman was a delivery driver for an LP gas provider for 53 years and was a retired member of Teamsters Local 688 in St. Louis. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. military, serving during the Korean War era from April 1952 to March 1954. He was a devout Christian and a very patriotic, civic-minded man who proudly flew the U.S. flag at his home at all times. He was a member of American Legion Post 253 in Festus, VFW Post 1831 in De Soto and Elks Lodge 689 in De Soto. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone on his route, and enjoyed gardening and spending time outdoors, as well as taking his grandchildren camping. Born May 10, 1931, in Ware, he was the son of the late Gilbert and Goldie (Harness) Wideman.
He is survived by his wife: Joann Louise Stahlman, whom he married April 2, 1984; a daughter: Barbara Huskey of De Soto; four grandchildren: Kerry (Jennifer) Pinkley of Hillsboro, Terry (Autumn) Pinkley of De Soto, Amber (Jay) Higgins of De Soto and Chanci Huskey of De Soto; five great-grandchildren: Austin and Ethan Pinkley of De Soto, Tyler Gillam of Columbia, Kaitlyn Pinkley of Hillsboro and Layla Collier of De Soto; and by several brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
He was preceded in death by a brother: Frank Wideman; and by two sisters: Norma Sebastian and Opal Long.
A memorial service was held Sept. 27 at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, officiated by the Rev. Dean Hollenbech and Jim Harfst. Private burial will take place in the Anaconda Community Cemetery in St. Clair at a later date. Memorials may be made to American Legion Post 253 in Festus or to Elks Lodge 689 in De Soto. Arrangements were under the direction of Russell Colonial Funeral Home.