Vincent C. DeMange, 94, of East Saint Louis, IL, born Thursday, September 26, 1929, in Cahokia, IL, passed away Friday, September 6, 2024 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.
Vince worked as a farmer all his life and was a proud U.S. Army Veteran. He married Shirley Tojo on May 29, 1954. He enjoyed trying out new recipes in his air fryer, working crossword puzzles & Sudoku puzzles, an occasional Stag, homemade apple pie, and Facebook. Farming, however, was his passion. DeMange Family Farms began 150 years ago and has seen five generations of farmers. At 94, he still got up every day and worked on the farm. He waited eagerly for the farming season to begin in February when he could begin planting seeds in the greenhouse. In March, he looked forward to the fields drying out so that he could plant with the tractor. His idea of a perfect day was to first do the daily fieldwork, followed by dinner at 11 and supper at 4. Nothing slowed him down. He loved having all 40+ members of his family gathered at the farm for celebrations.
He was preceded in death by his:
- Parents, Christ H. and Sophie, nee Powers, DeMange
- Sisters:
- Catherine Buese
- Mary Huskey
- Cecelia Turner
- Mildred Giltner
- Rita Siekmann
Surviving to cherish his memory are his:
- Wife of 70 years, Shirley DeMange, nee Tojo, of East Saint Louis, IL
- Son, Vincent C. (Lori) DeMange, Jr. of St. Jacob, IL
- Daughters:
- Debra (John) Hulliung of Mascoutah, IL
- Jean (Bernard) Gass of Belleville, IL
- Chris (Tim) Abegg of New Athens, IL
- 10 grandchildren:
- Eric (Amy) DeMange
- Keith (Chelsea) DeMange
- Shelby (Mike) Brennan
- Jared (Jenny) Hulliung
- Cory (Lorraine) Hulliung
- Jill (Fred) Luber
- Jana Gass
- Jacob (Whitney) Gass
- Lindsey Abegg (David)
- Neil Abegg
- 14 great-grandchildren:
- Tyler
- Lily
- Lexi
- Christopher
- Kate
- Halle
- Jack
- Josephine
- Samuel
- Audrey
- Everleigh
- Briggs
- Grace
- Nolan
- Numerous nieces, nephews, and friends
Memorials: Memorial Donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Visitation: Visitation from 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at St. Henry’s Catholic Church in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at St. Henry’s Catholic Church, with Father Kenneth York officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Belleville, IL.
