Erie Belle Touchette

Erie Belle (Wolfer) Touchette was born in East St. Louis to James Wolfer and Wilma (Kinder) Wolfer.   Jim And Wilma operated a small grocery and meat market adjacent to the B&O railroad yards one block off the Mississippi River in East St. Louis.

Erie was a graduate of East St. Louis High School and attended classes at Washington University.  She worked at a young age in the family grocery and restaurant.  Later took a job as a clerk with the B&O Railroad.  Was hired and worked as a legal secretary with a Law firm in St. Louis after college.  Later in life Erie and Bruce owned and operated a small liquor and neighborhood store at 84th and State Street.   Erie moved on to work in the FHA Agricultural Department for 20 years from which she retired.

Erie married her High School Sweetheart Bruce C. Touchette.  Erie and Bruce raised three successful children,  Kerry “Butch”, James “Dutch” and Lance Touchette.

Erie Belle enjoyed painting, gardening, golfing, reading books and crosswords.  She enjoyed crafts and sewing.  She had many stories about her childhood and life which she shared often to all of us within earshot.  She spent her childhood summers in Shawneetown, IL., her mother’s home town and many of her stories were about her time there and growing up on The Island in East St. Louis.

She was and excellent cook, baker and homemaker.  Her pies were legendary amongst family and friends.

Erie passed away peacefully December 8, 2021.  She was loved and will be missed by many.  God Bless her and keep her in Your loving Arms.

She was preceded in death by her:

• Son: Lance C. Touchette
• Parents: James and Wilma, nee Kinder, Wolfer
• Brother: Edgar Ling
• Sister: Mary Darlene Rayburn
• Parents-in-law: Amos and Vera Touchette

Surviving are her:

• Husband: Bruce C. Touchette
• Sons
  • James (Diane) Touchette of Freeburg, IL
  • Kerry D. Touchette of Washington, D.C.
• Grandchildren
  • Emily Haberl
  • Philip Touchette
• Great grandchildren
  • William Haberl
  • Grace Haberl
• Nephews
  • Brett (Teresa) Rayburn
  • Craig (Christi) Rayburn
  • Raymond “Tid” (Kim) Rayburn

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Family Hospice.

Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 – 8:00 pm, Monday, December 13, 2021 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Interment will follow at Mount Carmel Cemetery in Belleville, IL.