Born: June 28, 1956 - Deceased: January 29, 2022
Katherine A. Radcliffe, nee Merten, 65, of Belleville, IL, born Thursday, June 28, 1956, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Saturday, January 29, 2022 at BJC Hospice Evelyn’s House in Saint Louis, MO.
Kathy was a Computer Consultant and her passions were her family and travel. She loved every moment with her granddaughters, Anna and Lillian-especially traveling with them.
Kathy is an intrepid soul and fed that soul with travels around the world. The vast majority of her travels were with her husband, Jim, but she also traveled solo to such places as Budapest, Hungary, Krakow, Poland and Auschwitz. Her favorite place in the world was Zermatt, Switzerland. She loved planning trips as much as the actual travel. During planning, Kathy made friends with the folks at the hotels, the tour guides, etc. She always packed a bag of gifts and treats for the people she met along the way.
Kathy did not like to walk, so she trained for a year to prepare to hike the Camino de Santiago in 2014-approximately 500 miles from St. John Pied de Port, France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The first 300 miles were tackled on her own, with Jim meeting her in Leon, Spain for the last 200 miles. Her then 7-year-old granddaughter, Anna and Anna’s dad, Brandon met Kathy and Jim in Sarria, Spain for the last 75 miles.
Kathy eschewed social media. However, when planning a trip to Australia a few years ago, she recalled a pen pal from Brisbane, Australia with whom she corresponded when she was 10 years old. She found that lady through Facebook, and she and Jim were able to spend 2 days visiting with her old pen pal, Kay, on the other side of the world.
Kathy had a fear of flying, but faced that fear by traveling the world.
Kathy hated the cold, but she and Jim were scheduled to be in Antarctica in January, 2022 (her last continent). Unfortunately, her quest to visit all seven continents was postponed last year due to COVID and her last illness prevented it this year. I am sure her intrepid soul has conquered Antarctica.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Parents: Edward H. and Patricia, A. nee McGraw, Merten
- Daughter: Grace Ann Radcliffe
- Brother: Thomas P. Merten
Surviving are her:
- Husband: Judge James M. Radcliffe III of Belleville, IL
- Daughter: Meghan (Brandon) Larkin of Kirkwood, MO
- Son: James E. Radcliffe of Kirkwood, MO
- Brothers
- Edward H. Merten Jr. (Debbie) of Graford, TX
- John K. (Margaret) Merten of Evansville, IN
- Christopher A. (Anne) Merten of Jonesboro, AR
- Granddaughters
- Anna Ruth Larkin
- Lillian Eileen Larkin
- Sister-in-law: Bridget Merten of Evansville, IN
- Dear nieces and nephews
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Evelyn’s House or Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.
Visitation: Visitation from 4:00 – 7:00 pm, Friday, February 4, 2022 at Kurrus Funeral Home in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral service will be held at 7:00 pm, Friday, February 4, 2022 at Kurrus Funeral Home, with Father Clyde Grogan officiating. Private interment at Mount Carmel Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Live stream: Live streaming can be viewed starting at 6:55 pm on Friday, February 4, 2022 at www.facebook.com/KurrusFH.
7 Comments
Deepest condolences from the Weilmuenster and Kemper families. . We have many wonderful memories of times spent with the Mertens ❤️
Jim – my deepest sympathies to you and your family, and to Kathy’s brothers Ed, Kenny, and Chris.
I am so sorry the world has lost this intrepid, complex, and beloved soul so soon. Kate was as much a myth as the person to whom Judge Radcliffe entrusted the operation of his life, his work, and his heart. Always on top of everything, she allowed those around her to soar, figuratively and literally. I admired her passion for living and planning amazing adventures. I know that she will be grievously missed and fondly remembered. My sincerest condolences to the Judge and the rest of her family and friends.
Our Sympathy and prayers go out to the Ratcliffe and Merten families. I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The Notre Dame girls were remembering her on our AND Facebook page and saying such nice things about her. I remember her as being so full of life.
I like to think she is up in heaven with her relatives who love her and went before her.
I am deeply sorry for the passing of your mom, wife and grandma. Kathy and I were friends. I had not seen Kathy since I moved to Chicago 24 years ago. She lived a great life and to the fullest. 💕
Dear Radcliffe and Merten families I am so sorry about Kathy. I Have good memories of her. Knew her for many years off and on. She always had a smile when I saw her. And her wonderful catering days. She will be greatly missed.
Radcliffe and Merten families I am so sorry about Kathy. I’ve known her on and off for years and she always had a smile. I remember her catering days. She will be greatly missed.