Born: July 29, 1932 - Deceased: 20230722
Axel Algren Anderson, 90, of Belleville, IL, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.
Axel was born in Clint, Texas, on July 29, 1932, and spent several years as a youth in Booneville, Arkansas. Moving to Belleville, Illinois as a teenager, he attended Belleville Township High School. He was a graduate of St. Louis College of Pharmacy. He practiced in Belleville 41 years at Harold Smith Pharmacy and West Town Pharmacy which he became proprietor, and finished his career at Schnucks Pharmacy in Belleville, IL
Axel served in the United States Army and was stationed in Bad Aibling, Germany as a pharmacist. While there, he was able to visit his many relatives in Denmark.
Axel loved traveling with his family and took many trips, especially hiking in the western United States. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, the Metro East Pharmacy Association, an alumni of St. Louis College of Pharmacy, American Legion Post 58, and active in the Boy Scouts.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Father: Axel E Anderson
- Mother: Sophie M. Anderson
- Brother: Alfred Anderson
- Sister: Joyce A. Kirchoefer
- Sister-in-law: Joanne Anderson
He is survived by his:
- Loving wife of 58 years: Gloria G. Anderson of Belleville, IL
- Son: Erik A. Anderson of Belleville, IL
- Brothers
- Algren Anderson
- Albert (Judith) Anderson
- Niece: Margaret, Quent) Besing
- Nephews
- Mark Anderson (Karla)
- Matthew Anderson (Jill)
- Michael Anderson (Jennifer)
- Brien Anderson (Christie)
- Scott Anderson (Teresa)
- Kevin Anderson (Valerie)
- Todd Anderson (Dawn)
- Great nieces and nephews
- Dear relatives in Denmark
- Dear friends: Jim and Donna Thomas
Axel will be remembered as a compassionate, loving person with a wonderful sense of humor.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Zion Lutheran Church, St. Jude’s or Shriners Children’s Hospital.
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, Illinois,
Church Visitation: from 9:30 am – 11:00 am, Thursday, July 27, 2023 at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, Illinois.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, with Pastor Chris Spelbring officiating. Interment will follow at Walnut Hill Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
God didn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, or sun without rain. But he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
5 Comments
A strong, loving, sweetheart of a man who always had the plan and organization for his family. Love you deeply and forever, dad.
My deepest sympathy goes out to Gloria, Erik, and the entire Anderson Family. I had no idea Axel was in poor health. I just saw the obituary and regret not making the visitation. Axel was a wonderful guy and we shared many good times together at Harold Smith Pharmacy. Great memories!
I have so many memories of Axel. Our families lived next to each other in the old neighborhood on south Church street in Belleville. We visited each other like people used to do back then. And with so many examples of pharmacists in their family, no wonder that I wanted to emulate them. I actually worked part time at West Town pharmacy when Axel owned it. Axel was a man of value and great humor, that was apparent. I admired the whole Anderson family. I’m sad that I missed this notice. I could have traveled to Belleville to express my sympathy to Gloria and his family, had I seen it sooner. Rest in peace, dear friend.
I’m so sorry to learn that Axel passed away. Just heard about it last week. Axel was a very special person; more than once he opened the pharmacy late at night to take care of our needs. May God comfort Gloria and Erik at this difficult time.
Sincerely, Helen C.Carty
Sorry to hear this Erik. Wishing you comfort in this tough time.