Marie Caroline (nee Zimmerman)Sommers, 93, of Bellleville (IL), born February 24, 1919, in St. Morgan (IL), entered Heaven on the first day of Spring, March 20, 2012, at MarKa Nursing Home, Mascoutah (IL), with her family by her side. Marie was a devoted, loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother; a dedicated religious and civic philanthropist, always helping others; excellent cook, earning a blue ribbon for her rhubarb pie; and successful business owner. Marie owned and managed the “Corner Tavern & Restaurant,” (formerly, “Joe’s Corner Tavern”), Belleville. Marie and husband, Joseph (Joe) Sommers, sponsored many local athletic teams, Cardinal game trips, assisted in integrating laws in IL as former officers, including Past President, of the IL and St. Clair County Tavern Owners Associations. While operating a business, and after retiring, Marie was a member of the St. Peters Cathedral Mother’s Club; Leader for the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, and 4-H (Belleville). She volunteered at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, Ministry for the Sick and Aged, where she visited in local hospitals and nursing homes; Eucharistic Minister; and fund-raisers (Belleville). She was an active member of the Women of the Moose for over 30 years, the Knights of Columbus Catholic Ladies, and the Eagles (Belleville), in addition to the Lions and Elks Clubs in Belleville. When Marie and Joe retired in Linn Creek (MO), she was an active member of the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Camdenton (MO), and the Elks and Lions Clubs, Osage Beach. She was also the Welcome Wagon Lady in the Ozarks area and volunteered for Earth Day. Marie was preceded by her husband, Joe; her parents, Nicholas and Caroline (nee Voegele) Zimmerman; step-mother, Johanna (nee Mattern) Zimmerman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Clarence (Evangeline) Zimmerman, Gerald (Marie) Zimmerman; sisters, Elvira Patterson and Caroline Zimmerman; and a brother-in-law, Joseph Bechtoldt. Surviving are 3 children, Caroline (Charles) Sauer, Summerfield (FL); JoAnn (Doug Hill), Richter-Hill, Belleville; Michael (Montie) Sommers, St. Louis; 9 grandchildren, Charlie (Barb) Sauer, Christine (Christopher) Rose, Marcie Kolf, Paul Richter (Hoyun Son, Partner), Courtney (Ted) Mahar, Christopher and Annie Sommers, Tom (Angie) Ackerman, Lauren (Andy) Gaglione; 8 great-grandchildren, Lauren (Brad Hamilton, Fiancé), Daniel and Conor Sauer, Julianna and Isabella Kolf, Erika and Audrey Ackerman, and Indie Rose; 1 great-great-grandson, Bennett Hamilton; friend and sister, Delores Bechtoldt friend and cousin, Marie Hulling. Family and Friends may call at 10:00 am and attend Marie’s “Celebration of Life” Mass at 10:30 am, Mother’s Day weekend May 12, 2012, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, with Rev. Donald Blaes officiating the Mass. After services, everyone is invited to attend a luncheon at St. Henry‘s Parish Hall. Memorials may be made to St. Henry‘s Parish or Heartland Hospice, for whom we thank for all of their support. As Marie was very gentle, loving, and charitable in life, she bequeathed herself to St. Louis University School of Medicine, so she could help others. IN HEAVEN WITH MARIE Please do not cry for me For now I see The Glory of God, You may nod. I ask you to be kind To each other and find Peace in your heart Before you depart. In heaven I’ll be To meet again with me. By JoAnn Marie Richter-Hill