Journalist Rick Desloge Dead from Pancreatic Cancer

A talented writer who also was a regular reporter on KMOX Radio made his home in Kirkwood.

Updated: 2:18 p.m. I’m trying to absorb the shocking news. KMOX Radio just reported that Rick Desloge, age 63, lifetime journalist had died of pancreatic cancer. I am in a state of mourning. Fellow Patch editor Dan Barger, Fenton-High Ridge tipped me last week that Rick was really in bad shape, and was moved to Hospice Care at home. This is how it was just reported on KMOX Radio. Here is how the Business Journals reported Rick's passing to its readers. In the print business, there are unions and there are brotherhoods. Dan, Rick and I all toiled under the watchful eye of Frank Bick and Howard Etling at the Suburban Journals. Both of these gentlemen are still alive, way up in their salad years. They will be heartbroken to hear the news. …

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Joe Cole, Kirkwood Humanitarian, Dies at 94

Cole's service to the community includes founding Club 44.

Updated: 10:16 p.m. The following information was provided by The Kirkwood-Des Peres Area Chamber of Commerce. It is with a heavy heart the Chamber sends this notice to inform you of the passing of a truly great Chamber member, businessman and friend. Joe Cole passed away in the morning hours of Sunday, May 13, while in South Carolina. He was 94 years old. Joe was the founder of Club 44. He was also the recipient of the Chamber's Citizen of the Year Award in 1967, Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007, among many other awards and volunteer positions too numerous to list. Joe was born in Clinton, AR, in 1918. His parents soon moved the family to St. Louis. When he was seven years old, his mother died in childbirth and soon after, he, his …

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Obituary: Martha Sedovic Devoted Life to Newborns

A newborn nurse for more than 50 years, Sedovic served at St. Joseph's Hospital in Kirkwood.

The following information was provided by Bopp Chapel. Martha W. Sedovic (nee Wagner). Asleep in Jesus on Mon. May 7, 2012. Beloved wife for 55 years of the late Milton Sedovic. Dear mother of Elizabeth (the late Gene) Pisani, Paul (Eve) Sedovic, Peter (the late Kathy) Sedovic and Jeanne (David) Lipinski. Dear grandmother of Jennifer, Stephanie, Kristen, Sarah, Hilary, Katherine and Claire. Dear great-grandmother of Blake, Lily and Sydney. Martha was a devoted New Born Nursery and Neo Natal nurse for over 50 years, serving both Children’s Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kirkwood. After retiring, she was very active in her second career at St. Louis County Library and shared her love of reading as a tutor for Oasis Program in the …

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Mary K. Moon Phillips, Longtime Kirkwood Educator, Dies at 93

Phillips lived in Kirkwood for 64 years and taught elementary music in the Kirkwood School District for 30 years.

The following information was provided by Bopp Chapel. Mary K. Moon Phillips (nee Appel) a longtime resident of Kirkwood, died peacefully on May 5 at nearly 94 years of age. She was born May 8, 1918, and was very proud of her South St. Louis heritage. She attended Roosevelt High School, graduated from park College in Parkville and received her master’s degree from Webster University. She lived in Kirkwood for 64 years where she taught elementary music in the Kirkwood School District for 30 years. She was an active volunteer throughout her life, a passionate bridge player and skilled quilter. She was a loyal member of First Presbyterian Church of Kirkwood, on the board of Manor Grove retirement home, as well as president of the Kirkwood …

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Carolyn Dolan, Beloved Student, Dies at 19

The graduate of Cor Jesu Academy died suddenly in Kirkwood Sunday.

The following obituary was provided by Bopp Chapel. Carolyn N. Dolan, Nov. 6, 1992-April 29, 2012 Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church, suddenly, Sunday, April 29. Dear Daughter of Vicki and Kevin Dolan; dear sister of Erin Dolan; dear niece of Chris and Carol Parsonage, Jeffrey and Carol Parsonage, Sharon Bemhardt, Judith Parsonage, Jane Depker, Bob Dolan, Dan and Lynn Dolan; beloved cousin and great friend to many. Carolyn had a great love for life, for her friends and for her special time spent at Cor Jesu Academy. Funeral Mass 10 a.m., Saturday, May 5, at St. Clement of Rome Church, 1510 Bopp Rd. Interment St. Peter Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations are preferred to the Carolyn Dolan Scholarship Fund c/o …

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Tim Rajchart, Water Department Director, Dies at 58

Kirkwood Water Department Director Tim Rajchart died Sunday after suffering a heart attack. Rajchart began his career with the city in 1978.

The following information was submitted by the City of Kirkwood. Tim Rajchart, City of Kirkwood’s Water Department Director, died suddenly on Sunday, after suffering a heart attack. Tim was 58 years old and had been with the city for 34 years. Tim began his career Feb. 27, 1978, as a meter repair/plant operator. On Sept. 17, 1979, he was promoted to Leadman of Support Services. On Dec. 29, 1986, Tim was promoted to Acting Water Department Director and then to Department Director on April 6, 1987. Tim is survived by his wife Karen and their two daughters. Funeral arrangements will be posted on the city's website when they are available, the city says in a statement. Visitation for Tim will be Thursday from 3-8 p.m. at Bopp Chapel. The …

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Girlie Mae Carter, Beloved Kirkwood Resident, Dies at 89

A resident of Kirkwood since 1949, Girlie Mae Carter will be remembered for her kindness and religious devotion.

Sister Girlie Mae (Mitchell) Carter was born to the union of Henry and Rose Mitchell on July 19, 1922, in Columbus, MS. She was the youngest of eight children, all of whom preceded her in death. Sister Carter grew up in a Christian home and confessed Christ at an early age.   In 1949, Sister Carter entered into holy matrimony with Henry Clay Carter (deceased) and moved to Kirkwood. To this union three children were born: Timothy, Brian and Deborah. They united in fellowship with Olive Chapel A.M.E. Church where Sister Carter was a faithful member and servant for over 60 years. She was a Stewardess and also served in the Women’s Missionary Society, Senior Usher Board and Senior Choir. She was also active in the community and was …

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Community Mourns Loss of Longtime Volunteer

James "Jim" Chenault Jr., of Webster Groves, most recently served as a volunteer staff member at the historic Kirkwood Train Station.

Chances are if you've ever visited the Kirkwood Train Station on a Monday or Saturday, you've met James "Jim" Chenault Jr. The Webster Groves resident, who volunteered at the station since 2003, died Jan. 30. He was one of the original volunteers to staff the historic station when Kirkwood purchased it almost nine years ago. Bill Burckhalter, the station's volunteer coordinator, said Mr. Chenault was always friendly and truly enjoyed helping customers. Mr. Chenault also helped train new volunteers and was in charge of the volunteer schedule. "It was a shock," Burckhalter said. "We've had volunteers leave because they moved or for other reasons, but never because they passed away. Jim will be really missed." Matt Coppin, a spokesman for the…

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William Bodley Lane, Founding Member of Kirkwood Historical Society, Dies at 87

The well-known architect and purchaser of Mudd's Grove passed away Jan. 11.

Rick Burns, Beloved Kirkwood Educator, Dies at 69

Family and friends will celebrate the life of Dr. Rick Burns Saturday in KHS' Keating Theatre.

Editor's Note: The following article was provided by the Kirkwood School District. Dr. Rick Burns, former associate principal of Kirkwood High School, passed away on Saturday, January 7, 2012, at St. Louis University Hospital. He was 69 years old. Dr. Burns joined the KHS staff as an assistant principal in 1979 and served a total of 23 years at the high school. He was raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, as one of six children. After his high school years, his family moved to St. Louis. He earned his undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State, his master's degree from University of Missouri at St. Louis, and his doctorate from St. Louis University. Dr. Burns began his career in education as a teacher at Beaumont High School and later…

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