MANN-SLONAKER FUNERAL HOME, INC.
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EAST GREENVILLE, PA 18041

United Donauschwaben Milwaukee

AMERICAN AID SOCIETY VERSTORBENE

Since our last newsletter, the American Aid Society lost four of its members.

          Mr. Peter Erl, a past member of our Jugendgruppe, passed away at a much too early age of cancer.  The wake was at Kolsak Funeral Home in Wheeling and the service was at St. Joseph the Worker, also in Wheel­ing. Peter and his wife had no children. He is survived by his wife, his mother Magdalena, three siblings and nieces and nephews. Peter was the son of our past and deceased President, Anton Erl. The American Aid Society expresses our deepest sympathy to the Erl Family. May he Rest in Peace!

          Mr. Hans Blum passed away on the 28th of May, 2009, after many years of battling prostate cancer. Hans has been our active bartender at our monthly meetings, German Day meetings and at our events. Hans was a cabinet maker by trade and helped at many of our renovations in the hall and Lake Villa. He also enjoyed singing and belonged to the Schwäbischer Sangerbund. He had a few hobbies and his last one was keeping bee hives and making honey which he sold at the Club and Lake Villa.

          A large number of friends attended his wake at the Montclair-Lucania Funeral home and at the service in St. Francis Borgia Church. He was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery. Hans is survived by his wife Helen, Son Erich and wife Vilna, the grandchildren Brandon, Jacob, and Victoria, as well as three Sisters, Elisabeth Blum, Eva Schweitzer and Maria Nonnenmacher.

          Hans will be greatly missed by the American Aid Society. From the Vorstand and all the members we express our deepest sympathy to the whole family. May he enjoy his eternal reward.

          Mr. John Theiszmann, a former Jugendgruppe member, passed away suddenly of a heart attack while fish­ing in Wisconsin. John was a bricklayer by trade and he helped with the brick work on our hall in Lake Villa. John also helped with the grilling at German Fest in Chicago. John was born in Sackelhausen, Rumania, came to Chicago in 1952, and joined the Jugendgruppe the same year. Our deepest sympathy go to his wife Barbara, his children and grandchildren.

May he Rest in Peace!

          Mrs. Magdalena Prell died after a three year battle with multiple myeloma. It is a form of blood cancer. It had spread to the bones and she was in much pain the last few months. Mrs. Prell was a seamstress and worked for many years at Marshall Fields. Leni was born in Tscherek, Banat, married in Vienna, and came to the Chicago in the 1950's.

          Her wake was at Ahlgrims in Schaumburg and she was buried in St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine. Leni is survived by her husband Hans, 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 siblings. Our deepest sorrow to the whole Prell Family. Her wish was for no more suffering and may she find that in her eternal reward.

Die an den Gräber weinen,

betrauem verlorenes Glück

Und wünschen, vergangene Zeiten kämen

noch einmal zurück.

Sie können den Sinn nicht verstehen,

denn zu früh kam der Tod,

Zurück bleiben Herzen in Not.

Sie warten auf Antwort vergebens

und fallen die Hände in Schmerz,

Kein Trost kann die Trauer besiegen,

Sehnsucht kehrt in ihr Herz.

Begrabe Deine Toten, tief in Dein Herz hinein,

So werden sie Dein Leben lang,

Lebendige Tote sein.

Erinnerung

By Elisabeth Gebavi

Frau Anna Schleichter !

          She was a devoted member of the American Aid Society for many years. In honor of the blessed Mother, whom we honor in May at our Memorial Day picnic, she ordered a new crown for her and several wax wreaths from Germany for our young girls, who carry the statue.

          She looked so forward to May but a sudden illness took her away from us before her dream came to fruition. We will miss her.

2009 Autumn LA Donauschwäbische Verstorbene

          This morning, we learned of the passing of Frau Theresia Konrad. She was born on February 25, 1926 and passed away yesterday, September 25, 2009. Frau Konrad and her entire family have been long-time members and supporters of the Dance group and the entire German community. 
 
          Oma Konrad could always been found at a table near the stage at Vater Lani Hall to watch the children dance and perform their Mother's Day plays. She always enjoyed catching your arm to share the latest story which generally ended with a pat on your arm and a big smile.
 
          Her funeral is scheduled for Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach. The address is 4400 Cherry Avenue, Long Beach CA. There will be a viewing and Rosary from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 followed by Mass at 11:00 a.m. at the cemetery.
 
          The condolences for the entire Donauschwäbian community go out to their family.

Grün-Weiss Verein Verstorbene

HORST MELCHER (1936 - 2009)

          On August 11th, 2009, Green White soccer team lost one of the great ones.  In this day and age it’s common to hear that someone has “dedicated his life” to something, but in Horst Melcher’s case, that saying doesn’t seem to do justice to the kind of devotion he had for Green White soccer club.

          Horst’s connection to Green White actually pre-dates the club’s creation.  He was a member of the Donauschwaben youth group from which Green White sprung.  He joined that cultural group shortly after immigrating to the United States in 1949 (at the age of 13). He and his Donauschwaben buddies played soccer together casually, as they did back in the old country (The German speaking parts of Yugoslavia and Romania), but they longed to do it more competitively. In 1956, eighteen of those dear friends, who shared a common heritage, and love of soccer, formed Green White soccer club.  They never dreamed it would grow into what it has become. Horst was there every step of the way, helping to shape the club.

          For more than 50 years, he served Green White in virtually every capacity imaginable; as a player, coach, general manager, secretary, vice president, youth president, and for many years, club president. He was, essentially, the face of Green White soccer club, and that face was known by everyone in the soccer community.  His wife of more than 40 years, Hertha, has also been a very active member in the club, and his children, Sonja and Kurt were indoctrinated at birth. Both kids played in the Green White youth program as soon as they were old

enough.

          Kurt was the goalie of the Green White men’s team for many years, but as he mentioned in his father’s eulogy, despite kurt’s own accomplishments, he was always referred to as “Horst’s seine” (which roughly translates to “Horst’s boy”). Kurt knew everyone considered that a compliment.

          Horst’s calm and humble demeanor; his kindness, and his ability to truly care for others made him a wonderful leader of Green White through turbulent times.  He was always there at the tournaments, the board meetings, the dances and events, and he always greeted every member of the Green White family with his ready smile.  It’s impossible to remember Horst without thinking of that smile. Certainly, Horst’s accomplishments with Green White should be noted. He was instrumental in founding the club; in creating the youth program; in moving the club to Mt. Prospect, and fostering a relationship with the Mt. Prospect Park District. He has mentored countless players, coaches, and administrators through the years.

          Everyone, it seems, has a Horst Melcher story. He touched all of our lives. We salute Horst and his dedication to his life’s work (Green White), but we also salute him as our dear friend; a decent, caring comrade. on that level we’ve suffered a much deeper loss; and we offer our deepest condolences to his wonderful family who has suffered the deepest loss of all.  For though Horst devoted his time and effort to the club.  He was first and foremost a dedicated family man - loving husband, father, and as he would tell everyone he met, proud grandfather to Alex, Ella & Audrey. to be sure, he will be missed.

RICK KAEMPFER