Mike was a dedicated third generation retired partner in George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, where he compassionately served as a funeral director and embalmer for 38 years. He was a member of the St. Clair County Funeral Directors Association.
Mike was a lifetime member of St. Peter’s Cathedral Parish in Belleville, where he was a founding board member of the McCormick Center. Mike was a member of the Knights of Columbus Belleville Council 1028, and the Catholic Knights & Ladies of Illinois (CK&L of I). Mike was a recipient of the “Faith in the Workplace” Service Award from the Diocese of Belleville. Chico also received the “Horseshoe Award of the Noble Knights for International Excellence”, more commonly known as the HANKIE.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John Fredrick and Rose Marie, nee Boul, Renner; a sister, Barbara Renner; and a brother, Mathew Renner.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 38 years, Mary Ellen, nee Throckmorton, Renner, whom he married on July 28, 1977;
two daughters and a son, Caroline “Carrie” Renner (fiancé, Adam Friedman) of St. Louis, MO,
Michael (Chelsea, nee Heap) Renner of Belleville, IL;
and Kay Renner (Jeffrey Hursey) of Belleville, IL;
three sisters and a brother, Sister Susan Renner, SSND, of Belleville, IL,
Charles (Roxanne) Renner of Belleville, IL,
Rita (Ed) Wright of St. Louis, MO,
and Jane (David) Baldus of Caseyville, IL;
a brother-in-law, John E. Throckmorton of Belleville, IL;
seven nieces and nephews, Matthew, Andrew, and John Renner,
Ryan and Megan Radomski, and Jessica and Jacob Baldus;
and his many friends.
Mike was a devoted husband and father, beloved brother, friend to many, stranger to none. We know he was saving his best jokes for The Big Guy.
Memorials may be made to Brother James Court, 2508 Saint James Court, Springfield, IL 62707, or to St. Peter’s Cathedral. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, February 5, 2016, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 9:40 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2016, from the funeral home for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. John Myler, Msgr. Marvin Volk, and Msgr. William McGhee concelebrating. Burial will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.
Condolences Left For Michael Renner
Mary and family, please accept our sincere condolences for your loss. I am so happy that I got to see Mike a few years ago at the Renner Reunion, never thinking that would be the last time I saw him. I know he was looking forward to retirement but then his life turned upside down. You can rest knowing that he is no longer suffering and that you have may memories to remember him by. Thinking of you. Pat and Peggy
Pat Berkel, Glendale, Arizona, 85310
So sorry to hear of Mikes passing. Lived next door to the family for 10 years and couldn’t have asked for a better neighbor.
Kim Criss, New Baden, Illinois, 62265
Mary Renner & Family, I am so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing. He touched so many lives. God bless him . He will be missed. Greg Pickerel
Greg A. Pickerel, Belleville, Il., 62226
No words can describe the deep sadness we all feel . Mike was a great person inside & out . Wayne & I had the privledge of knowing Mike for over 40 years . Trying to seek comfort by remembering so many wonderful times we had with Mike & Mary . To all the Renner family , so very sorry for your loss . May the memories help your sorrow be lessened . Wayne & Christie Scher
Wayne & Christie Scher, Belleville, il, 62223
So sorry to hear about Mike. He was a true friend to us all. He will be missed by all of his long time friends. We have many happy memories of the times we spent together throughout the years. Mary and all of Mike’s family are in our thoughts and prayers. Happy to have had him as a friend.
Bonnie & Nick Orsa, Belleville, IL, 62220
Mary, I am so sorry! Praying for you and your family as you deal with his death. Your High School friend–Julie
Julie Dalechek, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208
Mary and Renner family, Buddy and I want to send our deepest sympathies on the loss of Mike. So many great memories of a wonderful person. You never saw Mike without a smile on his face . My kids still remember carpooling with you and Mike and Mike picking them up in the Limousine. The same one that Mike drove Buddy and I around in after our wedding 40 years ago. Heaven has gained a special Angel. Buddy and Jan Webb
Janis Webb, John’s Island, SC, 29455
Shocked to hear of Mike’s death. Please accept my sympathies. He and the family will be remembered in my prayers and Masses. He truly was a faithful, dedicated person!
Fr. David Kalert, OMI, San Antonio, Texas, 78216
Extending our deepest sympathy in your time of loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Your Colleagues at the Saint Louis Art Museum
The Saint Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110
For numerous years I remember encountering Michael during the course of his duties, either as a mourner, a funeral organist a few years back or in passing. He was always courteous, respectful and seemed to stand out as he provided service in his quiet unassuming way. So sorry for your loss.
Jean Weier, Belleville, IL, 62226
So terribly sorry Mary to hear of Mike’s passing. Mike was truly such a kind person. My prayers are with you and the children.
Darrell and I are out of town, we send our to you at this difficult time. Joyce Shelton
Joyce Shelton, Belleville, IL, 62223
We send our love at this difficult time!
Joyce Shelton, Belleville, IL, 62223
So sorry to hear of Mikes passing. Our prayers are with Mike and the entire Renner family.
David & Karen Twigg, Belleville, IL , 62220
Mary, Caroline, Kay, and Michael –
So sorry to hear of your loss. My husband Brian remembers riding with him when he served funerals at St. Augustine’s. Keep all of the wonderful memories close at heart and know he is watching over you.
Deepest Sympathies,
Marlo and Brian Rakers
Marlo Rakers (Garrett), Belleville, IL, 62220
Mary and family, we would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family on Mike’s passing. Kathy ,Jessica, and I will keep Mike and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Jim huber, belleville, il, 62226
Kay and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. God bless!
Adriana Ornelas, Belleville, IL,
To the family of Michael Renner, I am very sorry to hear of the passing of a fellow funeral professional. I know with his good works our Master has a special place for him.
Micheal W. Engelmeier, Flora, Illinois, 62839
It was an honor to participate in the corporal work of mercy “bury the dead” and minister to grieving families together with Mike on many occasions. May the same peace of the Lord he brought to others now be his eternally.
Father Nicholas Junker, Carbondale, Illinois,
My heartfelt condolences to the entire extended Renner family. While Mike’s cousin Bill and his family were my neighbors growing up, I knew Mike from Althoff (class of ’71). Decades later, when my father passed away, Mike came with the hearse. At that time of my own deep sorrow, Mike was somber, professional, and empathetic, traits that I very much appreciated. Although a jokester in high school, Mike became an exceptional professional, and I will always be grateful.
I sincerely hope his family’s faith will see them through this dark time. I wish the Renner family all my best.
Mike Coggeshall, Clemson, South Carolina, 29634
My heartfelt sympathy goes out to the entire Renner family. I knew Mike from back in our teenage years. He was quite a guy, and a very good man, who will be missed.
Denise Dewing Schoppet, bethalto, Illinois, 62010
This strikes me as “very close to home”. Mike was a high school friend, Althoff 1971. We spent many an afternoon playing hoops going all the way back to the old Cathedral High School across from St Elizabeth’s hospital. I too recall him as a jokester, but he also had a very serious professional side. I am grateful to have known him and wish to relay my family’s sympathy to all of the Renner extended family. To George, Jim, Bill, I knew “Chico” very well.
Thomas A. Reis and Family, Edwardsville , Illinois, 62025
Mary and family, accept my most heartfelt sympathy felt for you and the entire Renner family, known you and family for many years thru our many years at Cathedral parish, our thoughts and prayers are with you,take care.
Carol Gerstner and family
Caroljean Gerstner, Belleville, Il, 62221
Mary: our deepest sympathy to you and your wonderful children. I had such great times with Mike and EJ back in the day and enjoyed seeing Mike and your loving family at his 60th and more recently at Michael’s wedding. We will miss him and that great big smile.
Carol & Gary Smith, Hamel, IL, 62025
My deepest sympathies to all of the Renners. Mike was such a great guy!I have known him since high school and have many fond memories of Mike. My prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. Celia Balint
Celia Balint Mullikin, Creve Coeur, MO, 63146
Mary and family, my heart aches at the immense loss of Mike’s passing brings to each of you. What a faith and joy filled person Mike was! His deep love for family and the Lord, compassion for others, sense of fun, and radiant smile blessed so many people – what a legacy! I thank the Lord that during my trip to Belleville last summer I was able to visit briefly with him when you, Mary, and he were out to lunch. Letting him go to the Lord was a noble decision, for he had endured enough pain. May the memories of this wonderful man bring you joy and peace as the Lord comforts you. I will miss my cousin – our Mike, our Chico. Sharing in your sorrow and loss with loving sympathy and prayers, Julie
Julie Berkel, Scottsdale, Arizona,
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Renner Family. Joyce and Bob Dintelmann
Bob Dintelmann, Belleville, IL,
I won’t be there in person for you, but know that I am thinking of you, that I care for you, and that I am praying for comfort and consolation for you and your family.
David Helling, St. Charles, Missouri, 63301
Mary and family so sorry to hear about Mike. May God hold you in the palm of his hand as you grieve your loss.
The memories I have of Chico I will treasure he always had a smile on his face and a joke to tell whenever I saw him. He was a great friend and will be missed by all.
Fay dixon, Freeburg, Il, 62253
So sorry ! I have great memories of growing up in the neighborhood. Playing with his sister’s Barbie and Ken dolls,racetracks throughout the living room, going to mass said by “Father Mike “and receiving stale bread hosts with his little altar! He came to our Halloween party dressed as a woman!! Helping with his paper route…so many good times ..oh and in Grade school during class whenever a siren was heard,Mike would look out the window hoping it was one from Renners and not the competition…still making me smile .thanks for the memories…May perpetual light shine upon him ..
Jackie Lugge Lauf, Belleville, Il, 62226
Extending our sincere sympathy for your loss. Your family is in our prayers.
Rock & Debbie Verrochi, Belleville, IL, 62221
Really sorry to hear about Mike. Mary, God bless you and your family.
Dave & Diana Forness, , ,
Mary and Family,Bill and I were so sorry to hear of Mike’s passing.He has been in our thoughts and prayers for many months. I always will remember him for his nice smile. I loved his smile. He always did the funeral home proud and carried in the footsteps of our uncles. I have been housebound for several days, but know I have been with you and your family in spirit as you go through this difficult time. Pat and Bill Biehl
Patricia and Bill Biehl, Belleville, Illinois, 62221
Sorry to hear about Mike – he was a good neighborhood friend and our condolences go out to his family
Gerry Yoch Geoppo , Waterloo, I’ll , 62298
My deepest sympathies to the Renner family……Michael was there for many generations of our family and he will be deeply missed by the community
Suzanne Bien, Forestdale MA, ,
We are so sorry to hear about Mike’s passing.I went to school with him and we were great friends. We had many wonderful times together.He was always kind, and a true gentlemen. Our prayers are with his family.
Carl & Kathy Stanley, Swansea, Il, 62226
Dearest Caroline:
I can’t tell you how sad I am today to have found out about your loss. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts a prayers. I know all too well what it’s like to lose a parent and this is something that will forever live in your heart, but eventually turn into a loving memory you will forever carry in your mind.
Stay strong, be patient, and keep your faith close to you, and you during this difficult time.
If you need a friend to talk with from across the miles, I’m here with a listening ear and an open heart.
Sending a huge hug your way.
Sincerely,
Maria
Maria Thompson, Glendale, CA, 91203
Mary and family, Mike will be missed by all. I have great memories of the entire family and the many family get togethers in our youth. Mike’s smile and gentleness sticks out the most in my mind. I am very sorry for your loss.
Tom Bassler, San Antonio , Texas, 78209
Dear Mary and Family,
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and business partner. Mike and I grew up together as children teenagers and finally as partners for over 40 years. His compassion for families was immeasurable. He always got so involved in every single case he directed. The world is shinning a little less bright these days. Mike, you’re a hard act to follow.
Jim Renner, Belleville, IL, 62221
My thoughts and prayers go out to Mary and the entire Renner family on your loss. God bless.
Kevin McFarland, , ,
My prayers are with you in your time of grief. So sorry for your loss
Melissa M. Moore(Foeller), Belleville, Il, 65608