John "Owen" Brendel 81, born July 30, 1926 in St. Jacob, Illinois, passed away October 17, 2007 at his residence.

Mr. Brendel lived in Troy, Illinois his entire life. John "Owen" Brendel played for the St. Louis Cardinals Organization and he wascoached many years.He was a member of the Troy Redbirds Baseball Team. Mr. Brendel was the First Commissioner of the Troy Khoury League. Mr. Brendel served as Grand Knight of the Troy Knights of Columbus and served as Assistant Fire Chief for the Troy Fire Department. He served as President of the Troy Lions Club. Mr. Brendel was a true and faithful member of St. Jerome Catholic Church. During his spare time Owen loved to play Euchre. Owen started his working career with Edwardsville Creamery Company for many years, then he was employed Prairie Farms until his retirement. After his retirement from Prairie Farms Dairy he drove a school bus for the Triad School District for 13 years. After that Owen drove the Senior Citizens Van for 3 years and delivered Meals on Wheels. Mr. Brendel was very active in the community and well thought of by many citizens. He dearly loved his family.

Mr. Brendel is survived by his wife Sally (nee:Kniepmann) Brendel of Troy, Illinois whom he married June 29, 1948 at St. Mary's Church in Trenton, Illinois, his sons Bob (Linda) Brendel of Troy, Illinois, Jerry (Karen) Brendel of Naperville, Illinois, Rick (Cathy) Brendel of Collinsville, Illinois, Mark (Denise) Brendel of Salem, Illinois, his daughters Mrs. Judy (Mark) Kaiser of Wildwood, Missouri, Mrs. Susie (Gus) Riggs of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, 9 grandchildren, Amy, Andy, Zach, Travis, Amanda, Tyler Brendel, Brian, Kerri Riggs, and Josh Topper, his sister Mrs. Selda Reiss of Troy, Illinois, his brother Jim (Jane) Brendel of Moorehaven, Florida, his sisters-in-law, Betty Brendel, Mary Hammer, Ann Litteken, Martha Bellm, Rose (Bud) Sudhold, Bernadette (Francis) Lechner, Rita Liening, Jane (Stan) Niebur, Bea and Pat Kniepmann.

Mr. Brendel is preceded in death by his parents Edwin and Amanda (nee:Voegele) Brendel, in-laws Edward and Philomana Kniepmann, brothers Maynard (Delores) Brendel, Edwin "Baldy" Brendel, brothers-in-law Rollie Riess, Edward and Joseph Kniepmann, Al Hammer, Clinton "Mick" Bellm, Orville Litteken and Eddie Liening.

VISITATION: Friends may call at the Laughlin Funeral Home after 4 P.M. on Friday, October 19, 2007.

PRAYER SERVICE: will be at 4 P.M. on Friday, October 19, 2007 lead by Monsignor Virgil W. Mank, V.F.

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be Saturday, October 20, 2007 at 10 A.M. at St. Jerome Catholic Church with Monsignor Virgil W. Mank V.F. officiating. Burial will be at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Blackjack, Illinois.

Memorial may be made to St. Jerome Building Fund or in the form of Masses.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.laughlinfh.com