Eugene A. Abert

Eugene A. Abert, age 91 of Highland, IL, died Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at University Nursing & Rehab Center in Edwardsville, IL. He was born January 25, 1925, in Alhambra, IL, the son of Emil and Ella (nee Neuenschwander) Abert. On February 27, 1954, he married Donna A. Barva at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon, IL. She passed away on October 19, 2007. He was a member of Saint Paul Catholic Church. He was also a former member of VFW Post #5694; and a former member of American Legion Lee Iten Post #439. Mr. Abert was born at Kaufman Station on the family farm southwest of Alhambra, IL. He attended West Country School, then St. Jacob School for one year, and graduated from Highland High School in 1943. He served as a Sgt(T) with the U.S. Army with duty in Korea. He was with the 1st Infantry Combat Engineers. He received the Korean Service Medal & the Army Occupation Medal-Japan. Before and after his Army service, he worked at Wick's Organ. He was a foreman in the Mill Room, building organ pipes and cabinetry. He retired after 53 years. He enjoyed camping trips in his pop-up camper to Canada, Illinois, Missouri, Tennessee, and Kentucky. In his retirement, he went on many senior citizen tours and also visited family and friends throughout the country. He loved to fish and enjoyed taking his family to Silver Lake and other area lakes and ponds. As a master woodworker, he created tables, chairs, jewelry boxes, and wooden toys, including his own kitchen cabinets. He had a love for animals and enjoyed tending to his large garden and playing cards especially Pinochle. Survivors include : Daughter - Elizabeth J. (Michael) Wharton, Kansas City, MO Son - James D. (Marjorie) Abert, Sr., Highland, IL Daughter - Diana L. Rogier, Highland, IL Son - Paul W. (Laura) Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Son - Gary R. Abert, E. St. Louis, IL Son - Rex O. Abert, Tallahassee, FL Son - Curtis C. Abert, Champaign, IL Grandchild - Martin (Significant Other: Leawana Parker) Vulliet, Kansas City, KS Grandchild - GySgt Lisa (G. Sgt. Paul Buskey, USMC Retired) Buskey, USMC Retired, Bluffton, SC Grandchild - Joseph (Treva) Vulliet, Dallas, GA Grandchild - Vanessa (James) Vulliet-Smith, Kansas City, MO Grandchild - Vicki Campbell, Kansas City, MO Grandchild - Jeffrey (Jessica) Wharton, Garland, TX Grandchild - Carrie Sue Abert, Oviedo, FL Grandchild - James Abert, Jr., Oviedo, FL Grandchild - Anna Elizabeth Abert, Highland, IL Grandchild - Aaron Rogier, Highland, IL Grandchild - Dr. Benjamin (Kaytlin Reedy-Rogier) Rogier, St. Louis, MO Grandchild - Eric Rogier, Carbondale, IL Grandchild - Sarah Elizabeth Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchild - Mylinda Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchild - Rachel Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchild - Eli Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchild - Hannah Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Grandchild - Michela Abert, Broken Arrow, OK Great Grandchild - Jessica Buskey Great Grandchild - Christopher Vulliet Great Grandchild - David Vulliet Great Grandchild - Lacy Vulliet Great Grandchild - Mina Campbell Great Grandchild - Sabastian Campbell Great Grandchild - Tyler Ghesani Great Grandchild - Vanessa Wharton Great Grandchild - Zoey Smith Great Grandchild - Maranda Meschino Sister - Julia Loyet, Troy, IL He was preceded in death by : Father - Emil L. Abert (Died 11/21/1952) Mother - Ella -- Abert, nee Neuenschwander (Died 1/20/1984) Wife - Donna A. Abert, nee Barva (Died 10/19/2007) Son In-law - Charles L. "Chuck" Rogier (Died 11/1/2007) Sister - Ida A. Tabor (Died 1/14/04) Brother - Erwin Abert (Died 3/22/1977) Brother - Arthur Abert (Died 10/27/2001) Brother - Clarence Abert (Died 7/15/1995) Brother - Paul Abert (Died at age 9 days) Sister - Amanda McCalla (Died 1/6/1992) Sister - Alma C. Wall (Died 7/13/2011) Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 21, 2016, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 10:45 AM on Friday, April 22, 2016, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 22, 2016, at Saint Paul Catholic Church in Highland, IL., with Father Pat G. Jakel officiating. Interment will be at Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Highland, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels or the American Cancer Society.

Eugene A. Abert

January 25, 1925 - April 19, 2016