George H. Willaredt

George Henry Fredrick Willaredt, 91, of Edwardsville, passed away peacefully, Monday, July 28, 2025, at Eden Village in Glen Carbon, Illinois, as a believer in Jesus Christ our Savior.  George was born August 2, 1933, on Chouteau Island near Granite City, Illinois, to the late George and Lydia (Wachter) Willaredt.  George graduated from Granite City High School in 1951.  He served in the US Army from 1953-1955.  He married Joan Thurnau on November 12, 1955, at St. John E & R Church in Granite City.  She preceded him in death, October 13, 2017. 

After living on a farm in Granite City for the first 4 years of their marriage, George and Joan moved to the Edwardsville area, where they operated a vegetable, grain and horseradish farm.  George served in leadership roles at Eden Church, Horseradish Growers, Madison County Farm Bureau, Madison Farm Service, Bank of Edwardsville Board of Directors, Eden Village Retirement Center, Northeast Central Water District and Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois. 

George was a very generous man.  He took pleasure in finding ways to make the lives of others more comfortable.  George was an innovator who built his own horseradish equipment and practiced other original farming techniques.  He was a visionary who appreciated new ideas and led by example.  He spent time visiting with family and friends and playing cards.  George bowled on various bowling leagues.  He enjoyed traveling across the United States and abroad. 

George is survived by three daughters, Pam (Fred) Heepke, of Edwardsville, Nancy (Jerry) Kruckeberg, of Moro, and Jill (Kerry) Bertels, of Dorsey.  He was very proud of his eight grandsons and their families.  His grandchildren are Jeff (Marcy) Heepke, and children Grace and Emma, Dennis (Molly) Heepke, and children Lucy and Henry, Ross (Kate) Heepke, Brad (Laura) Kruckeberg and children Henry, Eleanor, Scarlett and baby on the way, Tim (Gracie) Kruckeberg, and children Oliver, Journey and Ruthie, Eric Bertels and children Samantha, Stephanie and Sophia, Kurt (Karen) Bertels, and children Brennan, Miriam, Graham and Liana and Mark Bertels.  George also enjoyed the company of a special friend, Wilma Edwards.  He is survived by a sister, Doris Keller; and sisters-in-law, Eleanor Pirok, Betty Thurnau and Dorothy Thurnau.  He was preceded in death by siblings, Alvin (LaVerne) Willaredt, Harley (Wilma) Willaredt, Marie Willaredt, Darlene (Joe) Schroeder; brother-in-law, Bill Keller; and in-laws Harold (Laurine) Thurnau, Lyla (Dale) Gerstenecker, Warren (Betty) Thurnau, Jeanette (Louis) Taylor, Olive (Delmar) Nungessor, Cliff Thurnau, Robert Thurnau and Henry Pirok. 

The family would like to thank the employees at Eden Village who cared for him the last seven years. 

Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 3, 2025, at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville.  Visitation will continue at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 4 at Eden Church.  Funeral services will follow at 11:00 am at Eden Church with Rev. John Roberts officiating.  Interment will be at St. James Cemetery in Ft. Russell Township.  Memorials may be given to Eden Village Foundation.   Condolences may be shared at weberfuneralhome.com

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