- Visitation
Memorial Visitation
Saturday, January 25, 2025
10:00 to 11:00 am
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL
- Service
Mass of Christian Burial
Saturday, January 25, 2025
11:00 am
St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL
- Full Obituary
Richard W. “Dick” Tjaden, 90, of Trenton, IL, passed away on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at his home in Town and Country, MO.
He was born on June 20, 1934, in New Douglas, IL, to Fred W. and Geraldine E. (nee Epps) Tjaden. On June 5, 1976, Dick married Betty Hemann in Lebanon, IL.
Dick was a United States Army Veteran and had a 38-year career as a USAF DOD Civilian as a Personnel Specialist. During his outstanding career, he received many Sustained Superior Performance Awards and upon retiring in 1988 as a GS12, received the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award Medal and a personal letter signed by President Bush.
He was a member of the Ainad Temple, East St. Louis, IL; member and past Master of Madison Masonic Lodge 560, New Douglas, IL; member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Southern Illinois, Belleville, IL; past member of Silver Lake Shrine Club, and past Chairman of the Silver Lake 16 team Ladies slow pitch tournament and dance for 3 consecutive years; listed in the Gold Book at the Shriners Children’s Hospital; a volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital; and a member of the Lebanon Singers Organization.
Dick’s real passion was baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals. He especially enjoyed Stan Musial and collected Stan the Man memorabilia for most of his life. He also enjoyed golfing and the many holiday gatherings with family and friends with laughter, food, and drinks. He treasured the trips to the STL Cardinals spring training sessions where he got to spend one on one time with Stan Musial and visit with all the Cardinals players.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred W. and Geraldine E. Tjaden; stepson, Tom Gerstenecker Jr.; brothers-in-law, Harold Neff, Stan Hopfinger, Merhl Myers, Duane Rutherford, and Thomas Hemann, in infancy; sister-in-law, Helene Neff; special aunt and uncle, Robert and Florence (nee Epps) Tjaden.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Betty Tjaden; son, Stan (Julie Schuette) Tjaden; stepchildren, Cynthia (Michael Anderson) Gerstenecker, Scott (Shayla Rose) Gerstenecker; granddaughter, Emma Tjaden; step grandchildren, Danielle (Tim Strothman) Gerstenecker, Andrew (Maria Carrera) Gerstenecker, Monica Smith, Richard Garcia, Katrina Garcia, Arturo (Ximena Altamirano) Garcia, Taylor Gerstenecker, Elise Gerstenecker, Anna Gerstenecker; step-great grandchildren, Thomas Strothman, Gavin Gerstenecker, David Piper, Jessica Piper, Kayda Garcia, and Maxwell Garcia; step great great grandson, Jason Piper; sisters-in-law, Marcie Hopfinger, Marilyn Rutherford, and Kathy (Joe) Carpenter.
Memorial donations may be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital St. Louis or MS Society St. Louis, organizations Dick was an avid supporter of.
Memorial Visitation: Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL
Mass of Christian Burial: Saturday, January 25, 2025, 11:00 am, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lebanon, IL
Clergy: Fr. Paul Weinhoff, Pastor
Interment: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Lebanon, IL
Meridith Funeral Home, Lebanon, IL
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