Donald R. Lienesch
Donald R. Lienesch, 89, of Belleville, Illinois, born Monday, August 20, 1923, in Roundup, MT, died Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois.
Graduate of O'Fallon Township High School, O'Fallon, IL, class of 1941 & has an AS Degree from Belleville Area College.
Retired in St. Louis, MO as a Supervisor in the Central Operations Group of Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, now AT & T Co., on June 30, 1986 after 45 years which included 3 years of credited service spent in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII. He worked as a Lineman, Station Installer, Station and PBX Repairman, Installation and Repair Supervisor, PBX Equipment Engineer and was in charge of SWBT Co. wire sales to independent installation companies at the time of retirement.
Served in the U.S. Marines from Nov. 3, 1942 to Nov. 19, 1945. Member of the Fifth Amphibious Corps Signal Battalion, attached to an Army Battalion, for the invasion of Kiska, Alaska. Attached to the Hdqs Co., 1st Battalion, 6th Regiment, 2nd Marine Division for the invasion of Tarawa, Gilbert Islands. Member of Hdqs. Co., 1st Battalion, 29th Marines, 6th Marine Division, attached to the Second Marine Division of the invasion of Saipan, Marianas Islands. Served as Wire Section Sgt. of 1st Battalion 29th Regiment, 6th Marine Division for the invasion of Okinawa. Holder of the Bronze Star Metal for bravery for action in the battles of Tarawa and Saipan.
Held many offices of the former Epworth Methodist Church. Was a member of Union United Methodist Church, has served as Law Leader, Chairman of the Commission on Finance and as Member at Large of the Administrative Council. Has served as President and as Treasurer of the Mens' Group at both Epworth and UUMC.
Masonic History: Holder of Honorary Legion of Honor, Order of DeMolay. Has been a Member, (life member) for more than 55 years and is a Past Master of St. Clair Lodge #24, AF & AM. Has served for many years on the Belleville Masonic Temple Association, (Treasurer for over ten years). Past President of the Belleville Area Masonic High Twelve Club #35, Man of the Year in 1987 and served as Club Treasurer for more than fifteen years. Was a member of: Belleville Chapter #106 Royal Arch Masons, Belleville Council #67 Royal and Select Masons, Tancred Commandery #50 Knights Templar, Shamrock Council #43 & Earl of Torell Council #24 Knight Masons of USA. Past Most Wise Master of John M Pearson Chapter of Rose Croix & Past Sovereign Prince of Cahokia Council Princes of Jerusalem of the Scottish Rite Masonic Bodies, Valley of Southern IL. Was Coronated a 33 Degree Souvereign Grand Inspector General on Sept. 30, 1981. An active member of Ainad Shrine and past Director of Ritualistic Cast for over 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Wife of 67 years: Alice M. nee Muelchi, Lienesch
- Parents: George F. and Cecil G. nee Meyers Lienesch
- Brother: George W. Lienesch
Surviving are his:
- Sons
- Michael F. (Ann Baker) Lienesch of Chapel Hill, NC
- Donald E. (Susie) Lienesch of Waterloo, IL
- Daughter: Clara C. (James) Noe of Saint Charles, MO
- Brother: William E. (Dolores) Lienesch of Grays Lake, IL
- Sister: Louise Nichols of Maryville, IL
- Grandchildren
- Jon D. Warren
- Nicholas (Kathryn) Lienesch
- Donielle (Patrick) Grimsley
- Elizabeth Lienesch
- Step Grandchildren
- Michelle (Dan) Baalman
- Michael Noe
- Step Great Grandchildren
- Miranda Baalman
- Brandon Baalman
- Dear nieces, nephews and numerous cousins
Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Union United Methodist Church Building Fund, Engelmann Cemetery or Donors Choice.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Thursday, November 29, 2012 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois with a 7:30 pm Masonic Service,
and from 10:00 am - 11:00 am Friday, November 30, 2012 at Union United Methodist Church in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, November 30, 2012 at Union United Methodist Church, with Rev. Ed Weston officiating. Interment will follow at Engelmann Cemetery, Shiloh, Illinois.