Oscar James “Tiny” Torrence, 94, of Herculaneum died May 31, 2016, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Torrence was the Herculaneum Postmaster for 22 years and the former owner and operator of Tiny’s Bar. He was a member of Assumption Catholic Church in Herculaneum and a charter member and first commander of Amvets Post 42. A World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in the South Pacific, he was a life member of VFW Post 3777, and a member of Elks Lodge 1721, American Legion Post 253 and Knights of Columbus Council 1230. Born Jan. 19, 1922, in Old Mines, he was the son of the late Emma M. (Bequette) Torrence Stumpf and Jesse F. Torrence. He was preceded in death by his wife: Betty (Chatfield) Torrence.
He is survived by three daughters: Cheryl Martin of Crystal City, Nancy (Kirk) Bequette of Festus and Lisa (Skip) McDermott of Sullivan; a son: James Edward “Jim” Torrence of Herculaneum; a brother: George (the late Patricia) Stumpf of Ballwin; a sister-in-law: Helen Torrence; five grandchildren: Sarah (Chris) Cool of Texas, Shawn Bequette of St. Louis, Elizabeth (Tim) Burley of Festus, Brian (Jennifer) Torrence of Center and Michael McDermott of Sullivan; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers: Anthony “Pickles” (the late Pearl) Torrence and Henry “Buzzy” Torrence; and two sisters: Freda (the late Claude) Leonard and Virginia Vanetta.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Friday, June 3, at Vinyard Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., June 4, 2016, at Sacred Heart Church in Crystal City, officiated by Father Clark Maes. Burial is in the Assumption Cemetery in Herculaneum. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association. Arrangements were under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.