Lillian Cecelia Regelsperger, 86, of Valles Mines, formerly of Imperial, died Feb. 13, 2014, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Regelsperger was the former owner/operator of Country Inn Restaurant in Imperial and was a member of Our Lady Church in Festus. Born Sept. 29, 1927, in Biehle, she was the daughter of the late Ida Christine (Kirn) and August William Berkbuegler. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilfred “Wimpy” Regelsperger.
She is survived by two sons: William (Mary) Regelsperger of St. Louis and Tim Regelsperger of Pevely; five daughters: Helen Reece of Festus, Mary Vaughn of Valles Mines, Linda (Frank) Crow of Valles Mines, Theresa (Wayne) Beckett of Festus and Carol (Scott) Naes of Imperial; a brother: John (Cathy) Berkbuegler of Mexico, Mo.; a brother-in-law: Herb Buchheit of Perryville; 16 grandchildren Thomas (Brenda) Reece, Joseph (Donna) Reece, Mitzi (Brian) Crippen, Ginger (Bob) Whitener, Frankie (Amber) Crow, Carrie (John) Chapman, Cindy (Brandon) Hoover, Amy (Tom) Kernan, Erin (Travis) Gooch, Andy (Tasha) Reece, Tony (Jennifer) Sanders, Tim Regelsperger Jr., Abby (Justin) Auer, Brian Naes, Brad Naes and Elizabeth (Jason Lofton) Regelsperger; and 13 great-grandchildren: Kayla Reece, Madison Reece, Eli Crippen, Hayley Crow, Clayton Crow, Avery Gooch, Claire Gooch, Cooper Gooch, Bobby Whitener, Austin Wright, Alexis Sanders, Emma Sanders and Lily Chapman.
She was preceded in death by a daughter: Brenda Regelsperger; a son-in-law: Ronald Sanders; and four sisters: LaVerne Buchheit, Silvia (“Speed”) Buchheit, Francis (Melvin) Cissell and Bernetta Beaves.
Funeral Mass was held Feb. 15 at Our Lady Church in Festus, officiated by the Rev. Jeffrey Maassen and the Rev. John Kerber. Burial was in the St. Joseph Cemetery in Imperial. Memorials may be made in the form of Masses in Mrs. Regelsperger’s memory. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home in Festus.