Wagers

Joseph Zerrusen Dies Suddenly Saturday Evening

Joseph Zerrusen

Joseph Zerrusen of Teutopolis, age 74 years, died suddenly at approximately 9:30 p.m. Saturday. Although his death was unexpected, he had been under a doctor's care.

Mr. Zerrusen was born November 1, 1888 in St. Francis township, the son of the late Anton and Angela (nee Schroeder) Zerrusen. He lived on a farm in St. Francis township until 1946 when they moved to Teutopolis. He and his wife, the former Mary Nosbisch, who survives, were married September 26, 1911. They celebrated their Golden Wedding in 1961.

He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the Third Order, and the Holy Name Society of St. Francis church, Teutopolis. He was a church trustee for many years and served a number of terms as a director of Plain Tree school. He was instrumental in organizing Farm Bureau in Effingham county and was a member of the board of directors for a number of years.

Surviving besides his wife, Mary, are four sons, Sylvester, Edwin, and James of Teutopolis and Clarence of Hillsboro, and three daughters, Mrs. Norbert (Mariann) Schumacher and Mrs. Albert (Marguerite) Schumacher of Sigel, and Mrs. Louis (Barbara) Donsbach of Bishop. There are 29 grandchildren including Sr. Mary Norbert, a member of the Order of the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate of Joliet who was here to attend the funeral, Sr. Mary Edwin, a novice in the Order of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, and Phillip Schumacher who is a freshman at the Pontifical Josephinum Seminary in Ohio. Sr. Mary Edwin and Phillip were unable to attend. Gene Schumacher, a freshman at Alabama State, grandson of the deceased was here to attend the funeral. Three great-grandchildren also survive. He leaves three brothers, Anton, Ferd, and Henry all of Teutopolis, and two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Anna) Herboth of Effingham, and Mrs. Henry W. (Mary) Deters of Teutopolis.

The body lay in state at the Habing funeral home in Teutopolis where the rosary was recited Sunday and Monday evening at 8 p.m. The K. C.'s recited the rosary at 8:30 p.m. Monday. The solemn requiem mass was held at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday in St. Francis church. Rev. Adrian Fischer, O.F.M., was the celebrant, Rev. Germain Schwab, O.F.M., was deacon and Rev. Novatus Ewert, O.F.M., was subdeacon, Pallbearers were Richard Hardiek, John Schultz, Cletus Brumleve, Bernard Krone, Victor Deters, and Leonard Wegman.