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Meet Your Neighbor: Rosemary Rettig
Rosemary was married to Joe for 66 years, and they were as in love the day that Joe passed away in November of 2010, as the day that they were married.
Joe, a disabled WWII veteran, offered to drive his sister and her best friend, Rosemary, to the Spot Light Dance Hall to meet their dates, but Rosemary decided to stick with Joe instead. Rosemary, known to many as “Babe,” married Joe in July of 1944, and they started to build a family in East St. Louis. With six kids (Richard, David, Marcia, Kathy, Brad and Jay), they were extremely involved in St. Martin's School and Parish, volunteering to do anything that needed to be done.
Joe was an electrician, and Rosemary worked at a bank and the two of them ran a restaurant for a short time. Determined and hard working, Joe and Babe instilled great values in their children and provided them a wonderful life.
In 1975, the couple built a house in Mount Olive, Illinois on a small lake. They resided there until 1988 when they headed south to Largo, Florida. Joe and Rosemary cleaned up on the shuffle board court, rode bikes around the neighborhood and enjoyed the softball-size grapefruits from the tree in their backyard for 16 years until their hometown called to them. In 2004, the couple couldn't take being away from their children and grandchildren any longer and moved back to Belleville so they could spend more time with their family.
Now, Rosemary spends her days playing cards, bingo, dominos and other games, going out to eat, making new friends and volunteering to help others. While Rosemary has endured some tough times, from the smile on her face and amazing attitude, you would never know it. She has a huge heart and is one of the most talented and strong ladies you will ever meet.