Barton Goz
Beloved husband of Elayne Polsky Goz for 60 years; dear father and father-in-law of Seth (Angela Crawford) Goz, Stuart (Teresa Brouk) Goz and Alyssa (Brad) Schnell; dear brother and brother-in-law of Marilyn (Harvey) Yesowitz; dear uncle, cousin and friend to many.
Funeral service Monday January 8, 11 AM at Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Rd. 63141. Visitation from 10:30 until the start of the service. Burial will follow at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Rd. 63123.
Memorial contributions preferred to the American Heart Association.
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Michael Bearman
November 23, 2023 Beloved Son of the late Bernard and late Peggy Bearman; dear brother and brother-in-law of Bob (Mary) Bearman, Tom (Kathy) Bearman, Jane (Doug) Smith, Buddy (Linda) Bearman and Ted (Lu Ann) Bearman; Uncle, cousin and friend to many in his book clubs.
Services: Private services will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions preferred to the St. Louis County Library (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or charity of your choice.
Make a Donation in memory of Michael BearmanNorma Lee Rader (nee Hollander) passed away on January 13, 2024, at the age of 89. In her final moments, she was surrounded by family and close friends.
She was born in St. Louis, Missouri on October 9, 1934, to Kalman and Elsie Hollander, the second of two daughters.
Growing up, she was outgoing, involved, smart and hard-working. She earned an academic scholarship to Washington University, studying social work. In 1955, she married Edward Stanley Rader, leaving college to work and earn enough to support them both as he finished medical school.
Between 1958 and 1964, Norma and Ed had three children – Nancy, Jeff and Dan. In addition to her fierce love and unwavering support for her husband, Norma dedicated her life to her three children, teaching them important life lessons and encouraging them to find and pursue their passions.
After the children left the nest, Norma turned her creative talents to knitting. Over time, she assembled a small team of knitters who, over the course of 18 years delivered more than 15,000 hand-knit scarves, hats and gloves to children in need.
Norma will be remembered for her courage, her kind heart, and her giving nature. She was a voracious reader and a lifelong learner. And she was an exceptional friend. She'll be missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing her.
She was preceded in death by Kalman and Elsie Hollander and her sister Betty. She was survived by her husband Edward Rader, her daughter Nancy Inhofe, her sons Jeff Rader (spouse Sarah) and Dan Rader (partner Hoai Huynh), and her grandchildren Glade Inhofe, Cole Inhofe and Anna Rader.
Services: Services will be held at the small chapel at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141, on Wednesday, January 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm. Visitation begins at 12:30.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution in Norma's memory to the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Washington University in St. Louis or the Harvey Kornblum Jewish Food Pantry.
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Beloved wife of the late Robert Levine; dear mother of Lisa Levine, Michael Levine (Licia Terranova), and Scott Levine (Margaretta Mendenhall), and Paula McMaster; dear grandmother of Isabel, Gabrielle, Charles, and Eliana; dear daughter of the late Frieda and the late Sol Stetin; dear sister of the late Sondra Gash (Ira); dear sister-in-law of Arthur Levine (Marilyn) and the late Richard Levine (Joanne); dear aunt, cousin, and friend to many.
Myra cared deeply for her family and she had an especially great love of children, working in childcare settings where she touched the lives of many families in her community. She had a rare gift for making each person feel welcome and at home—and that gift came out of her commitment to inclusivity, and her genuine interest in others. Her smile was absolutely infectious, and she smiled often, lighting up the world around her. We will miss her dearly.
Funeral Service Sunday, January 21 at 1 PM at the Mausoleum at New Mt Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois. Graveside interment follows in New Mt. Sinai Cemetery.
Memorial contributions preferred to Central Reform Congregation, 5020 Waterman Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63108 or the American Labor Museum, 83 Norwood Street, Haledon, NJ 07508.
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Bruce S. Feldacker
June26, 1940 - February 15, 2024
Beloved husband of Barbara Feldacker for more than 60 years. Dear father and father-in-law of Robert (Valerie Garver); Debbie (Rob) Granick; and Caryl Feldacker (Dan Grossman). Loving grandfather of Jacob, Amy, Talia, Rachael, Eowyn, Matai and Natan. Dear brother of Linda (Barry) Pass and uncle to Greg (Yukari) Pass and Kevin (Libby) Pass.
As a dedicated lawyer for union workers, Bruce sought justice for his labor law clients, embodying kindness and compassion throughout his career as advocate, attorney, and mediator. Bruce was a champion of his family and friends; a world-traveler in body and spirit; and possessed an unquenchable thirst for knowledge about people, places, and politics.
He was an avid collector of labor art, donating over 500 works for The Bruce and Barbara Feldacker Labor Art Collection at the St. Louis Mercantile Library and serving as a docent at the St. Louis Art Museum.
Services: Funeral service Sunday, February 18th at 10:30am at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, with interment to follow at New Mount Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Rd. St. Louis, MO 63123. No visitation prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to the Saint Louis Mercantile Library Association, EIN: 43-0694564 or the charity of your choice. Visit Berger Memorial Chapel for more information.
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Marilyn Rae Fox
July 29, 1934 - February 18, 2024
Marilyn Fox, who brought a gentle but determined and down-to-earth touch to the leadership of many St. Louis organizations over a period of decades, died peacefully Sunday of natural causes, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 89.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 11 a.m. at Temple Israel in Creve Coeur. Burial will be private.
Beginning in the 1980s and continuing for more than 30 years, Mrs. Fox was a fixture atop more than a dozen St. Louis area cultural, educational and social service organizations, from the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Missouri History Museum to the Old Newsboys Day Campaign for Kids to the United Way of Greater St. Louis. The organizations with which she was perhaps most closely identified over the years, however, were St. Louis Variety, the Children’s Charity; Webster University; and the Jewish Community Center.
At St. Louis Variety, she chaired the annual fundraising gala for more than 20 years, raising millions of dollars on behalf of children with disabilities. Her devotion to children with special needs and their families was unmatched. For a woman and mother who was so accomplished on the world’s stage, she possessed a particular admiration, humility, and respect for mothers of children with special needs.
“Marilyn effortlessly forged connections with Variety Kids, sharing in their steadfast optimism,” notes Variety Board Chair, Mike Lefton.
At Webster she served for years on the board of trustees until stepping down about a decade ago. At the Jewish Community Center, she was elected, in 1992, as the first female president, and later also chaired a successful $18 million capital campaign for a satellite facility in Chesterfield. The Marilyn Fox Building, a fitness and education center, opened in 1997.
“She was everywhere, and she was always prepared to say ‘yes,’” said Barry Rosenberg, who, as chief executive of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, worked with her for many years. “There was hardly a worthy cause in St. Louis, in the Jewish community or outside it, that she wasn’t prepared to get behind. She had a vision for community. And she was willing to get down in the trenches to see her efforts through.
“Her leadership was sound, humble, and moral,” he added. “She exhibited a very helpful skepticism. She’d ask a lot of good questions, and she could stand her ground. At the same time, she was extraordinarily gracious and inclusive. She’d talk to anyone. She’d ask about your family. She truly cared about people.
“And she got results.”
That assessment was echoed by Peter Raven, president emeritus of the Missouri Botanical Garden, on whose Board of Trustees Mrs. Fox served in the 1990s. “As she did for so many St. Louis organizations, Marilyn quietly and effectively made things happen,” he said. “She was a consistent source of ideas – for collaborations with scientists in other countries, for example — and she had the unusual ability to turn her ideas into realities.”
Born Marilyn Widman in St. Louis, she was one of three children of the late Arden Widman and Celia Bass, both Lithuanian immigrants. Her father was a general manager for a national retail store chain. She grew up in the Delmar Loop, which she recalled fondly as a lively, friendly neighborhood where she made childhood friendships that lasted a lifetime. She graduated from University City High School.
During her senior year in high school, she met a recent Washington University graduate, Sam Fox, at a party. At age 19, after just one semester of her own at Washington University, she married the young man, and left the university so she could get a job and contribute to the couple’s support.
The next year, however, she became pregnant with the couple’s first child. Over the next decade, she and Mr. Fox became the parents of, in order, Cheri, Pamela, Jeff, Greg and Steven. All but Greg, who died in 2016, survive her.
About 15 years after the birth of her youngest, with the children established and her husband’s business, Harbour Group, thriving, Mrs. Fox found her way to community work, and never looked back.
For most of her life, she once said, she had not thought of herself as a leader. But the more she got involved with community activities, and the more strongly she felt about them, the more capable she felt about putting herself forward.
And put herself forward she did. Among the other organizations she served over the years were the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, where she served as president and campaign chair of the Women’s Division as well as board secretary and a member of the executive committee; Jewish Family & Children’s Services; Central Agency for Jewish Education; the Girl Scouts, where she was vice president of the board and a member of the executive committee; the National Council of Community and Justice; Women of Achievement, where she was board chair for two terms from 2003 to 2005; and more.
To all of these organizations she brought a leadership style that was soft-spoken and humble but also firm. Adding to her effectiveness were her genuine interest in others and a lack of interest in self-promotion.
Mrs. Fox’s service brought her numerous awards and honors. She was a Woman of Achievement in 1993 and the Variety Club’s Woman of the Year in 1996. She received the Brotherhood Sisterhood Award from the National Conference of Community and Justice in 1998 and the Magen Ami “Star of My People” award from the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis in 2001. The Old Newsboys gave her their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. In 2009 she received the Thomas Jefferson Award from the Missouri History Museum; in 2012, the Visionary Award from Webster University; and in 2013 an honorary Doctor of Humanities from Washington University.
Along with her husband she received an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from St. Louis University in 2000 and the university’s Sword of Ignatius Loyola Award in 2009; the Excellence in Philanthropy Award in 2004 from the Arts and Education Council, and the Whitney and Jane Harris Community Service Award, also in 2004, from Washington University.
None of it went to her head. She remained the same unassuming, gentle person she had always been, and kept her focus – despite all her community service – on her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her great- grandchildren.
“I hope the theme of my life,” she said in a 2015 interview, “was living in happiness and teaching that to my kids. I hope it was being part of the community and trying to help people and be kind to other people. I hope that’s what it was.”
Surviving are her husband, Sam Fox; daughters Cheri Fox and Pamela (Aba) Fox Claman of Israel; daughter-in-law Merle (the late Greg), of St. Louis; sons Jeff (Lotta) and Steven (Nan), of St. Louis; 15 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity of your choice.
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David I. Berland, M. D.
August 1, 1947 - February 18, 2024
David I. Berland, M.D., 76, died peacefully in his home on February 18, 2024. David was born in St. Louis on August 1, 1947 to the late Dr. Harry and Mildred Berland. He graduated from Ladue High School, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Missouri School of Medicine.
Dr. Berland devoted his career as a child psychiatrist to increasing access to high quality mental health care. He completed his residency training in Adult Psychiatry and a speciality in Child & Adolescent Psychiatry at the renowned Menninger Foundation in Topeka, KS. He then returned to St. Louis to establish the Child & Adolescent Psychiatry training program at the St. Louis University School of Medicine. He later opened a private practice in Clayton. Dr. Berland held leadership positions in the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry locally and nationally.
David’s friends and family will always remember the way he combined his irreverent sense of humor with kindness and empathy – and most of all his hard work to leave the world a better place. David was a political activist for peace and equality, beginning with his opposition to the Vietnam War. After retirement, he increased his role in St. Louis politics, extensively phone banking for multiple candidates, lobbying in Jefferson City for education and the needs of born children, and learning previously unexamined parts of the city’s turbulent racial history while inviting others to do the same.
David was a member of Temple Emanuel, a mentor and a mensch. He was an unwaveringly passionate, lifelong fan of the Cardinals and the Muny Opera, and he single-handedly raised the quality of wine drinking and jazz appreciation among his cohorts. Daily neighborhood walks, weekly breakfast club, monthly Bordeaux meetings and annual traditions like Christmas eggnog, Eckert’s peaches and lobster in Rhode Island always brought a smile to his face.
The heart of his life was his family. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Elaine; his daughters Kate (Joe Shear) and Rachel (Todd Kiefer); his grandchildren, Eleanor (7), Josephine (5), Isaac (4), and Theodore (1); his sister Marilyn Collier (Richard) and sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and decades-long and new friends across the country and around the world who made up his tree of life.
Services will be held at Temple Emanuel, 12166 Conway Rd, St. Louis, MO 63141 on Wednesday, February 21st at 10:30 AM with visitation starting at 10 AM. Interment will follow at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery. 8430 Gravois, St. Louis, MO 63123.
The family asks that donations and advocacy be made on behalf of organizations of your choice, particularly those providing services to promote the well-being of children and their families and the disenfranchised, especially in his beloved St. Louis, such as the ACLU of Missouri. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
Beloved son of Gerry Prell and the late Richard Yalem. Loving older brother of Susan (Richard) Weitzer, Laura (Maryanne Gallen) Yalem and Patricia Cornett. Dear uncle of Benjamin Weitzer, Rachel (Micah) Katcher, Jacob and Joshua Cornett. Life-long friend of David and Sharon Steckler.
Jim was an attorney, proud graduate of Duke Law School and an avid fan of the Blue Devils. He was a serious fisherman who enjoyed lake living. Jim will be missed by all who knew him.
Private graveside services were held. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
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To plant Memorial Trees in memory of James P Yalem, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.
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Howard Schlansky
Howard was born and raised in St. Louis, the middle son of Siril and Seymour Schlansky. After graduating from Parkway Central High School, he was admitted to the first class of UMKC’s six-year medical school program. He completed a residency in pediatrics at St. Louis Children’s Hospital where he spotted a beautiful social work practicum student and asked a mutual friend to introduce them. That student, Carol Rubin, became the love of his life. The two would be celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary this week.
Howard was skilled in both medicine and business, and approached his practice with the mind of an entrepreneur. Upon completing his residency, he saw an opportunity to meet needs in a rapidly developing area of St. Charles County. He turned down an offer to join his father’s medical practice in St. Louis, and opened a pediatric clinic, strategically placed next to an obstetrician’s office, and near fast food restaurants and churches, which he saw as signs of a burgeoning community. Howard was a beloved pediatrician to generations of patients at Saint Charles County Pediatrics, which he operated for more than 30 years. He ultimately developed a medical complex around that clinic to provide a breadth of services for patients in the area.
In 2012, he became the Medical Director of Pediatrics at Mercy. In that role, he continued to innovate, and was particularly proud to have created the first ADA accessible playground in St. Charles County. He also was a contributing columnist for the Healthy Kids column in the St. Louis Post Dispatch, and a camp doctor at Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute.
Howard was an avid gardener, bird watcher and baseball fanatic. He cheered passionately for the St. Louis Cardinals, Cape Cod league teams and any minor league team he could fit into a road trip. He was an ice cream connoisseur, hiker, skier, camper and frequent visitor to home-improvement stores. He enjoyed long family strolls on the beach and walks around the neighborhood with his beloved goldendoodle Riley.
Howard served the community on the boards of Make-a-Wish Foundation and Congregation Temple Israel. He was a docent for the St. Louis Aquarium, and volunteered regularly at Hillel and Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, where his grandchildren are students.
Above all else, Howard loved doting on his wife, children and grandchildren, and was the ultimate handyman, protector and cheerleader for each of them.
In addition to his wife Carol, Howard is survived by his daughters Rebecca Rubin-Schlansky (Mike Vredenburgh) and Hannah Rubin-Schlansky (Rabbi Andrew Terkel); grandchildren Ada and Celia Vredenburgh, and Avi and Micah Terkel; brothers Arnold (Bonnie) of Florida and Steve (Mindy) of St. Louis; siblings-in-law Amy Rubin Schottland (Dr. Paul Schottland) of New Jersey and Dr. David Rubin of New York; and many nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road, 63141. Interment will follow at New Mount Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Road, 63123.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saul Mirowitz Jewish Community School, 348 S. Mason Road, St. Louis, MO 63141, or the organization of your choice.
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Ralph Wafer
Ralph Eglin Wafer, age 76, passed away March 21, 2024. Ralph was born October 1, 1947 in Shreveport, LA and was the oldest son of Dr. John Gill and Dorothy Eglin Wafer. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Deborah, sons Matthew (Michele) and Joshua (Barbara), twin brother John, brother Thomas (Melissa) Wafer, sisters Louise (Rob) Ward, and Dorothy Thoma; sister-in-law Sandy (Rusty), granddaughters Madeleine and Sofia, and grandsons Samuel and Henry. Our dear uncle, cousin and friend.
Ralph graduated from St. Stephen’s in Austin, TX and Tulane University School of Architecture. At age 6, Ralph knew he wanted to be an architect. He and Debby married in 1972. They lived in Memphis before moving to St. Louis. Ralph loved St. Louis: its rivers, old buildings, historic parks, and baseball team. Ralph saw great potential for the city, shown by his involvement in redeveloping, rehabbing and improving homes, neighborhoods, and communities. From running his own architecture firm downtown through working as a Plan Examiner for the City of St. Louis, he enjoyed working with homeowners, developers, and builders.
He volunteered with and provided leadership to the Missouri Coalition for the Environment, Boy Scouts, St. John’s United Methodist Church, Old North St. Louis, and numerous other organizations.
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Rosalind Kessler
Roz was born May 13, 1928 to the late Meyer and the late Wilma Goldstein in St. Louis; she was the second of three children, pre-deceased by her siblings Bernard Goldstein and Leatrice (Marvin) Holtzman.
Roz was married to the love of her life, the late Ben L. Kessler, for 68 wonderful years. She was adored by her three daughters and their husbands, the late Susie (Jeff) Kress, Carrie (Brian) Vallandingham and Debi (Mark) Mehlman. She was cherished by her grandchildren and nine great grandchildren Matthew (Megan) Ray, Jessica (Paul) Crysler, Leigh (Josh) Huster, Chad, the late Natalie, Scott (Rachel) and Blair Mehlman. And she was beloved by her nieces, nephews, entire extended family, and circle of friends.
Roz leaves behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and zest for life. She made everyone around her feel special and would give anything to make you smile. She was a vibrant woman who loved to sing, dance, and travel. She could turn the most ordinary moments into a party and never missed an opportunity to make others laugh with a quick one-liner. Roz was a lifelong learner, she was always engaged with the latest trends in fashion, technology, current events and more. Roz had a true heart of gold and was beautiful inside and out. She will be so deeply missed.
Visitation Monday, April 1st, 10:30 AM at the New Mt. Sinai Mausoleum, 8430 Gravois, followed by funeral service at 11:00AM. Memorial contributions of your choice preferred.
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Jeryl "Jerri" Livingston
Beloved wife of Bill Livingston, mother to Cindy Livingston and David Livingston (Charlie Taylor) died peacefully in her sleep at home on April 3, 2024 at the age of 72.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Jerri graduated from Ladue High School and Washington University. She married Bill in 1975 and moved to Chesterfield where they soon started their family. She was an active volunteer with both children’s schools and extracurricular activities. She spent more than 25 years teaching second grade Religious School at Shaare Emeth, as well tutoring Hebrew students who needed extra support. She served as the President of Shaare Emeth’s Sisterhood, and then became President of Women of Reform Judaism’s Midwest District, and also served on the WRJ national board. Jerri loved connecting with women of all faiths, and was active in the St. Louis interfaith community via Interfaith Partnership and as a leader in the St. Louis Women’s Interfaith Conference for many years.
As a Breast Cancer Survivor, she became an outspoken advocate, educator, and fundraiser. She participated in the Susan G. Komen More than Pink Walk as a volunteer where she worked with corporate teams and was regularly recognized throughout her 20 years of fundraising as one of the top individual fundraisers for the St. Louis walk. Through Haddasah’s Check It Out program, she spoke to women of all ages and backgrounds about breast cancer awareness, many of whom would not have had access to this information otherwise. She was recognized as an Unsung Hero by the St. Louis Jewish Light in 2017 for all her volunteer work throughout the community.
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Dr. Eduardo A. Slatopolsky
December 12, 1934 - April 24, 2024
Eduardo Alberto Slatopolsky (89) husband of the late Judith Miriam Hirshfeld, died on April 24. He is survived by his brother Mario Slatopolsky, his 3 children Diana (Ricardo Kohn), Daniel (Lucila Broide) and Andrea (Morten Olrik), 6 grandchildren Shira, David, Nicolas, Tristan, Camila and Sasha, and great granddaughter Leah.
Eduardo led a long and successful life dedicated to Washington University School of Medicine and the Chromalloy Dialysis Center. He was Director of the Parathyroid Hormone/Vitamin D Laboratory, Founder of the Chronic Dialysis Program, Washington University and Director of the Chromalloy American Kidney Center for 30 years. However, Eduardo was best known for his sense of humor and great dance moves. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends worldwide.
Graveside funeral to be held at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Road at noon on Sunday April 28. Additionally, a celebration of life will be hosted by Washington University at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nephrology Division at Washington University School of Medicine for the Eduardo Slatopolsky Lectureship, the Eduardo Slatopolsky endowed professorship or the Chromalloy American Kidney Center patient fund. The family thanks you.
Born at the start of the Second World War, Hella was five years old when she lost her father (a German military officer who had married a half-Jewish woman and refused to join the Nazi party) at the Battle of the Bulge. The war had a profound impact on Hella’s life as her family fled for safety in 1944, first to Berlin and then to Hamburg, Germany. As Hamburg was reconstructed, Hella and her family moved to the suburb of Rahlstedt. Hella’s mother remarried, to Ferdinand Vogt, and the family settled into a safe and secure life there. After attending a trade secretarial school, Hella went to England to work as an au pair for one year, a period of time that she loved. She returned to Germany and worked for an import-export firm in Hamburg, and then became an executive secretary at Der Spiegel magazine.
Hella wanted to continue her training of the English language and responded to a job advertisement for a receptionist position in a German-owned hair salon in St Louis. She was 21 when she came to the U.S. for this job, and lived in Clayton, Missouri. Here she met her husband, Howard, and the couple built their house on Byron Place in the Moorlands and had two children, Karen and Chris. The family enjoyed sport and travel. Hella especially loved skiing in Colorado. She also often returned to Europe to visit her family there.
Hella worked in St Louis as a German teacher and a translator, and for a company selling German wine. When Hella lost her husband (Howard died at the age of 53), she moved to a town house in West St Louis County. She continued her love for travel, and was particularly fond of visiting Busum on the North Sea during this time. She travelled in her later years with her children, visiting her son in Austin, her daughter in London, and travelling all over Europe. Hella was a keen news reader, and enjoyed talking to her family and friends about current events, both local and international. She made her home a warm and comforting place in her later years, where she passed away in peace.
Funeral service Friday, May 17, 1:30pm at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery Mausoleum, 8430 Gravois Road with interment to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to Oxfam, 77 North Washington Street, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02114 or The International Institute of St. Louis, Attn: Development, 3401 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63118.
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November 30, 1934 - May 27, 2024
Roxie was born in St. Paul, MN, the eldest child of Rosetta and Irving B. Harris. The family lived in Chevy Chase, MD, Beverly Hills, CA, and Highland Park, IL.
Roxie attended Sarah Lawrence College before marrying Morton L. Meyer in 1954. The newlyweds lived in Nancy, France for nearly two years and then moved to St. Louis, MO to start a family. In 1968, Roxie and her close friend, Joan Loeb, opened Forsyth Gallery, one of the community’s first contemporary art galleries. In 1981, Roxie married Dr. Alvin Frank with whom she shared a deep love for art, music and travel.
She had a deep expertise and passion for art and was proud to have served as a longtime Trustee and Commissioner for the Saint Louis Art Museum where she played an active role in selecting the architect David Chipperfield for the museum’s East Building addition. She offered sound counsel as a board member for the National Council of the Sam Fox School of Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, Laumeier Sculpture Park, Jazz St. Louis, the Jewish Hospital, the Moog Center for Deaf Education, and John Burroughs School. In New York, Roxie served as a member of MoMA’s Prints and Illustrated Books committee and as a founding member of Madison Square Park Conservancy’s MadSqArt program.
Roxie was a devoted and beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, grandmother and friend to people of all ages. An avid reader, she was beloved for her curiosity, optimism, and generous spirit. She took a genuine interest in friends - old and new - especially children. She said that her family was her first religion and adored the time she spent with her children and grandchildren.
Roxie is survived by her companion, Quintus “Buddy” Drennan, her siblings, Virginia Polsky and William Harris; her children, Nancy Meyer (Marc Weiss), Danny Meyer (Audrey Heffernan), and Tom Meyer (Julie Stevenson). Roxie is also survived by her grandchildren: Amy (Nick Fandos) and Isaac Weiss-Meyer; Hallie (James Campbell), Charles, Gretchen, and Peyton Meyer; Will, Andrew, and Kai Meyer; and great granddaughter, June Campbell.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following organizations: Pedal the Cause; Planned Parenthood of the St. Louis Region; Saint Louis Art Museum; The SPOT Youth Center. Please visit bergermemorialchapel.com for more information. BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
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Kraanzberg, John Fox, passed away Saturday, June 8th, 2024 at the age of 72. Beloved son of the late Melvin and Nancy Kranzberg (Nee Fox). Loving father of Anthony "Tony" Kranzberg and Maddison "Maddi" Kranzberg. Cherished life partner of Linda Bucher. Dear brother of Steven (Eileen White) Kranzberg. Dear uncle of Sloan Fox Kranzberg, Sean Patrick Kranzberg and the late Shane Kranzberg. John was a loving cousin and friend to many.
John was a hard worker and an avid dancer. He was a founding member of the St. Charles Imperial Dance Club, where he taught swing dancing for 25 years. He loved boating, water skiing and spending time at the river as family. John was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who had the joy to know him.
A Visitation and Service for John will be held at Hutchens-Stygar Funeral and Cremation Center (5987 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, St Peters, MO 63376) On Tuesday, June 11th, from 2:00pm-4:00pm with service beginning at 4:00pm.
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Geraldine Robins Kesssler
July 21, 1928 - June 10, 2024
Beloved wife of the late M. Donald Kessler. Loving mother of Jill (Kevin) Kessler McGovern, Lynn (Stephen) Kessler Cella, and the late Scott Kessler. Cherished grandmother of Graham (Kristen) Berry, Gena (Chris) Gordzelik, Kirk (Elyse London) Berry and Max and Nick Cella. Adored great-grandmother of Adrienne, Asher, and Phoebe Berry and Mason and Liam Gordzelik. Loving sister of Estelle (the late Ray) Lavietes and the late Doretta (the late Ray) Goldman. Beloved daughter of the late Max and the late Lena Kornbleit Robins. Our dear aunt, cousin and friend.
Geraldine was the third daughter born to Lena and Max Robins on July 21, 1928, in Kansas City, MO. At the age of 5, Gerry moved with her family to St. Louis where she lived for the next 85 years. She was always enterprising and at the age of 13 worked in the shoe department at Stix, Baer and Fuller and later became the manager. She graduated from Soldan HS, married her husband, Donald and had 3 children. After the passing of her son in February 2019, she moved to Portland, OR where she lived near Jill until her passing.
Besides her roles in her family she wore various other hats, the most significant being an owner/operator of World Wide Antiques in Frontenac, MO. She volunteered her time and expertise to many charitable organizations, most notably the Women’s Society of Washington University and the Samuel Cupples House at St. Louis University.
She was an avid art student, painter, sculptor, antique appraiser/dealer, investor, gemologist, pilot, prankster, mahjong teacher and party thrower extraordinaire. With her easy nature and outgoing personality, Gerry made countless friends and was steadfastly loyal to those she loved. She was accepting of all people and never took herself too seriously. Gerry was known best as a positive person who never complained, loved to laugh, and loved a good meal and a glass of wine with family or friends while telling a good joke. Gerry set a great example for all who knew her as she did not let her many challenges get in her way of living life to the fullest. She was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved her.
Graveside service Tuesday, June 25, 11:30am at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois Road, St, Louis, MO 63123.
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Donald Glaser Levy
June 22, 2024 - December 26, 1931
On Saturday, June 22, 2024. Beloved father of Deborah Levy Davenport (Mitchell) and Sally Levy. Dear grandfather of Jessica White (Michael) and Terry
Davenport (Stephanie); dear great-grandfather, dear brother of Julie Plax.
Services will be held at the Glaser Family Mausoleum at New Mt. Sinai Cemetery, 8430 Gravois, on Thursday, June 27 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials appreciated to any animal support organization.
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