Cletus “Dutch” Lischer, 93, of New Athens, IL; born February 12, 1919 in New Athens, IL ; passed away on Saturday, September 8, 2012 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL.

Cletus was involved in many businesses during his working career. He was a hard worker all of his life and started working at the age of 7. One of his earliest jobs was delivering milk in New Athens. He was the owner and operator of New Athens Ready Mix and Cletus Lischer Trucking. He was a partner in Coal Transport; Quality Sand; Quality Stone; Illinois Excavators; LMK Leasing and Roger’s Ready Mix. He was a member of St. Johns United Church of Christ. Cletus was a World War II Army Air Force Veteran. He was a charter member of the New Athens Lions Club. He was a member of American Legion Post 565; VFW Post 7710; Freeburg Masonic Lodge 418; Freeburg Order of Eastern Star #542; York Rite; Knights Templar; Scottish Rite; Ainad Shiners; New Athens Sportsmen Club.

He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Augusta, nee Schmelzel, Lischer. His beloved wife Lucille, nee Frantz, Lischer whom he married on November 2, 1940 in Perryville, MO and who passed away on April 1, 2004. 2 brothers – Virgil Lischer; Elmer Lischer. 2 sisters – Dorothy Hodapp; May Hawthorne.

He is survived by 3 daughters – Karen Zimmerman of New Athens, IL; Vickie (Gerald Sr.) Luter of New Athens, IL; Roxie (Jeff) Edmonds of Marissa, IL. 5 grandchildren – Marc (Janice) Maurer; Sheryl (Phil Yarber) Washburn; Eric (Fiancé – Amanda Reike) Zimmerman; Jessica Erb; Lindsay Erb ; 6 step- grandchildren; Gerald Luter, Jr, Ryan Luter, Kami Luter, Shaysa Edmonds, Robert Smith; Chris Smith; Great-grandchildren – Shae Washburn; Stephanie Washburn; Deric Maurer; Emery Zimmerman;. 1 great great- grandchild – Madelyn Smith. 5 step Gr. Grandchildren: Kayla, Jocelyn and Kayleigh Luter, and Kalee and Trace Fosnock. 1 brother – Robert (Margie) Lischer of New Athens, IL and dear friend, Kent Fulmer of New Athens, IL

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Children’s Hospital; New Athens Lions Club or St. John United Church of Christ.

Visitation: Friends may call at St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, IL on Tuesday, September 11, 2012 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 from 9:00am to 11:00am.

Funeral: Services will be held St. John United Church of Christ in New Athens, IL on Wednesday, September 12, 2012 at 11:00am with Rev. Dr. Robert Koch officiating.

Burial: Interment will be held in Oakridge Cemetery in New Athens, IL.

1. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:00 am

   I have so many memories of your dad!! He was an awesome man. Sending my sympathy. The family of Mary Koenitz; my children (Dwayne Brewer–Debbie Biethman–Rhonda Stolte)

   Posted by: Mary Koenitz – Red Bud, IL – Friend Sep 10, 2012

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2. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:00 am

   Thoughts and prayers to the family.

   Posted by: Anna Tatum – IL Sep 10, 2012

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3. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:00 am

   My condolences to the family. Dutch was a great man. I remember when he, Tom and Shotgun used to come into Gordon’s on Rt. 159 in the late 60s. They were a fine bunch of men. They sure like to tease me when I was working. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

   Posted by: Donna Merlenbach – Ava, IL – Friend Sep 10, 2012

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4. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:00 am

   Please accept our deepest sympathy. Dutch was a large part of New Athens and will leave a lasting memory in our community. May he rest now in peace.

   Posted by: Bob and Charlotte Main – New Athens, IL – friend Sep 11, 2012

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5. Administrator says:

   06/30/2018 at 2:00 am

   Jerry may God comfort you and your family during this time of grieving. God bess you all.Jim and Wanda Sullivan

   Posted by: Jim Sullivan – imperial, MO – friend Sep 11, 2012

   Reply