Frederick John "Fred" Albers, Jr., 89, of Litchfield, died at 8:19 a.m. Monday, Nov. 19, 2018, at Salem Township Hospital in Salem.
Graveside services were Friday, Nov. 23, at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Mt. Olive with the Rev. Fred Kraemer officiating. Military rites were performed at graveside. Becker and Son Funeral Home in Mt. Olive was in charge of arrangements.
Mr. Albers was born on Feb. 19, 1929, in Granite City to Esther (Schrage) and Frederick John Albers, Sr. He married Joan Evelyn McDermontt on Nov. 17, 1949, in Pocahontas, AR, and she preceded him in death on Nov. 19, 2014.
He attended Granite City Grade School and graduated from Granite City High School with the class of 1946. He was a member of the United States Navy serving in the Korean Conflict with the rank of Gunner's Mate Petty Officer Second Class. He received the Navy Occupation Service Ribbon with European Clasp and Korean Service Ribbon with two stars.
He worked as a welder for Union Electric in St. Louis for 26 years, retiring in 1988. At age 16 he had worked for Granite City Steel and later worked for Shell Oil Company in Wood River.
He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, former VFW post district commander, life member of VFW Post 5790, Yurkovich-Beck American Legion Post 594 and the Amvets Post 55.
He loved taking his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren down to the creek, was a renowned sausage maker, and a lifetime outdoorsman who loved gardening, farming, fishing, and hunting.
He is survived by four sons, Dale "Kim" Albers of Mt. Olive, John (Terri) Albers of Bismarck, Tim (Trudy) Albers of Staunton, and Tom (Deborah) Albers of Tualatin, OR; two daughters, Roberta Albers of Mt. Olive and Martha (Joe) Karlovic of Mt. Olive; a sister, Mildred Schubert of Granite City; grandchildren Crystal (Nathan) Remer, Jason (Angela Gray) Albers, Jessica (Ben) McCormick, Abby Albers, Sarah Albers, Cassie Albers, Jake Albers, Chloe Albers, Joyce (David) Schoen, Eric (Stacy) Karlovic, Abby, Gabby, and Maddy Gray; and seven great-grandchildren, Asher, Charlie, Henry, Nicholas, Lilly, Darby and Brooke.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Kenneth Albers.
Memorials may be given to Zion Lutheran School Tuition Assistance Fund in Litchfield. Send condolences to www.beckerandson.com.
