Albert Rolwing

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Albert Edward "Bert" Rolwing, 74, died Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008, at his home in the Texas Bend community of Mississippi County.

He was born Dec. 22, 1933, in the Texas Bend community, to the late Paul Rolwing and Elizabeth "Lizzie" Wessels Rolwing.

He was a member throughout his life of St. Henry's Catholic Church, and graduated from St. Henry's High School in 1951. Afterward he attended the Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Training Camp in Country Campus, Texas, for pitcher training from 1951 to 1953.

On May 30, 1953, he married Mary Jo Walker, who survives of the home. With his wife by his side, he spent his life as a cattleman and farmer. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the National Cattlemen's Association. In his retirement years he was employed by the Mississippi County Detention Center.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his six children, Albert Rolwing and wife Claudia of Terrell, Texas; Diane Newcomb, Paulette Lenderman and husband Todd, Cindy Cole and husband Terry, all of Sikeston, Mo.; Larry Rolwing of Cape Girardeau and Sharon Rolwing Bryant of Charleston. The love he showed to his children embraced his daughter-in-law and sons-in-law, including Ronnie Newcomb who preceded him in death.

His grandbabies, Amanda Rolwing, Ronald and Kevin Newcomb, Jenny Owens, Teresa (Michael) Cohen, Madeline Bryant; and great-grandbabies, Christopher and Nicholas Cohen, always brought smiles to his face and much laughter to his heart. Tabatha Sewell and son Tyler Hawkins of Sikeston and Jason Todt of Oran, Mo., were also a part of that laughter.

He is survived by brothers, Cornelius Rolwing and wife Dorothy, Bob Rolwing and wife Joyce, all of Charleston, Monsignor Richard Rolwing of Sikeston; and a sister, Mary Agnes Belviy and husband Bill of New Albany, Ind. A beloved brother, Herman Rolwing and wife Helen, both preceded him in death.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. today at St. Henry Catholic Church in Charleston. Parish prayers will be at 7.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Friday at the church, with his brother, Monsignor Richard Rolwing and the Rev. Scott Sunnenberg, pastor of St. Henry Church, as celebrants. Interment will follow in Texas Bend Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home of Charleston.

Pallbearers will be Robert Renaud, Danny Duenne, Johnny Coon, Richard Rolwing, Benny Bruenderman and Fred Rolwing.

Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Warren III, Bob Coon, Richard Kirkpatrick, Joe Telker, Henry Coffer, Richard Pike and Elgin McMikle.

The family requests memorials be made to St. Henry Catholic Church, 304 Court Street, Charleston, Mo., 63834, or VNA Hospice, P.O. Box 768, Kennett, Mo., 63857.