2025 Obituaries

Otto Anthony Etzel passed away on January 24, 2025. He was a beloved husband of 57 years to Rosemary Etzel (nee Koller). A loving father to Rose (Paul) Berra, Otto III (Shelly nee Slay) Etzel, Christina (Channing) Smith, Kathy (Kurt) Berry. Proud grandfather to Sarina, Paul, Louie and Sophia Berra, Otto IV, Henry, Anthony and Alex Etzel, Channing Stice, Giavanna, Vivianna and Milania Smith, Charlie, Matthew, Lucas, Owen and Lexie Berry. He was preceeded in death by his parents Otto and Sarina Etzel. He was a dear brother-in-law, uncle and friend to many.

Otto was born on July 18, 1940 and grew up in South St. Louis City. He was a 1958 graduate of CBC High School and attended Southern Illinois University. He met Rosemary as a young teen at the Riviera Park and Pool where she worked. They were married in 1967 and had their first of four children one year later. He started his own Food Brokerage business in 1974, O.E. Brokerage, which has recently celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary of being in business. This was his true passion. He still went into work 5 days a week and was very proud to say his son has taken over this legacy.

Another true passion of Otto’s was his love of family. Otto was an only child, so having 4 children and 17 grandchildren was his proudest accomplishment. He loved to take our entire family of 27 on vacation. He looked forward to trips to the lake and Sunday Dinners at home. He also loved watching every sporting event his children and grandchildren participated in. You would find him on the sidelines watching closely and then he would want to talk about everything you did right (or wrong) immediately after the game. He would always want to know how many goals, touchdowns, baskets, serves, races, flips or dance routines so he could put money in an envelope for you to pick up at the next Sunday dinner.

Otto was one of a kind and will be missed tremendously by his family, friends and business associates. A service will be held in his honor on Saturday February 1, 2025 at St. Catherine Laboure Parish (9740 Sappington Rd, St. Louis, MO 63128) viewing 10-11:15 am with mass to follow immediately. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Families of FANA, WNY, Inc 1100 Amherst Street Buffalo, NY 14216 http://www.familiesoffana.org/donations, The Little Lighthouse 5120 E. 36th St. Tulsa, OK 74135 http://littlelighthouse.org, Peter and Paul Community Services 2612 Wyoming Street St. Louis, MO 63118 https://ppcsinc.org/give/donate-now/.

John Edward Rabbitt, of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Saturday, January 11, 2025, at the age of 84. Loving husband of Mary Eileen Deck Rabbitt; beloved son of the late John J. and Josephine M. Rabbitt; devoted father of David Rabbitt, and Catherine (Mark) Muckerman; cherished grandfather of Kaitlyn (Ben), Stan, Christian (Lauren), Claire (Dallas), Helena, and Erik; and treasured great grandfather of Cerys. John is also preceded in death by his son, Robert (Karen, Survives) Rabbitt.

John was the Cadet Colonel of the CBCHS Class of 1958. His quiet but gently humorous presence is mourned by all our Class.

John was deeply engaged in his parish activities. He found great joy in traveling and was an avid reader. He had a passion for building model airplanes and a keen interest in World War II history, particularly the tanks of that era. John cherished time with his family above all else. He was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Memorials may be made in John's name to Alzheimer's Association.