Eugene Herbert Adolph Telle
Gene Telle was born June 15, 1928, in Uniontown, Mo., the son of Adolph and Esther (Schaefer) Telle. He attended Grace Lutheran grade school in Uniontown and was a 1946 graduate of Perryville High School. He attended trade school in St. Louis and worked for 35 years as a mechanic in the Brake and Lighting Division of Wagner Electric Corp., followed by 10 years with the Color Associates printing company prior to his retirement in 1993. From 1950 to 1952, Gene proudly served in the U.S. Army's 28th Infantry Division during the Korean Conflict. On February 26, 1955, Gene married Florence Petzoldt, of Altenburg, Mo. Together they raised a family in Hazelwood, Mo., while blessed with 60 years of marriage until Florence's death on Dec. 13, 2015. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, supporter of the Disabled Vets, a member of the St. Louis Metro Polka Club, St. Louis Button Box Accordion Club and former member of Good Shepherd, Chapel of the Cross, and Holy Cross Lutheran churches in Missouri, and for many recent years had been a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, Ill.
Gene is survived by a son, Jim (Robin) Telle of Glendale, Ariz.; his daughter, Julie (Randy) Helm of Algonquin, Ill.; and five grandchildren: Elizabeth Telle, Jennifer (Tyler) Wirth, Daniel Helm, Thomas (Ashley) Helm and Jessica (Garrett) Sloan; and four great-grandchildren: Blake, Millie and Reed Wirth, and Boden Helm.
Memorials may be directed to the 'Under Our Roof, Beyond Our Walls' Ministry Expansion Campaign of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, Ill.
Visitation will be on Monday, March 30, 2026 from 10am until the time of the 11am service all at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. Burial will be on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 10:30am at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri.
For further information contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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Much condolences to the family of a gentleman with a great long life.
Much condolences to the family of a great gentleman with a good long life.