David Paul Ahrens

David Paul Ahrens, 72, of Ridgway, passed away at his home on Sunday, October 12, 2014, 2:05 p.m.  He was born on February 3, 1942 in Valmeyer, Ill.,  the son of Eugene H. and Lucretia (Unterseh) Ahrens.   David married Rose Anna Wuertz on April 16, 1966 and she preceded him in death on the eleventh day of November 2009.   He served our country in the Air Force in Vietnam from 1960 to 1964.  Also he retired from the Illinois State Police after thirty-two years of service.  He served in District 5 Joliet, District 11 Collinsville, District 11-A Litchfield, and District 19 Carmi.  He retired with rank of Lieutenant and was the District 19 Commander.   A faithful member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church he was also in the Knights of Columbus L.A. Lambert Council No. 1581.  David was a member of the Ridgway American Legion Post No. 596.   He is survived by his mother, Lucretia Kipping of Columbia; one daughter, Sara and husband Bill Arbaugh of Evansville, Ind.; three sons, Michael and wife Kathie Ahrens of Ridgway, Paul and wife Jordan Ahrens of Ridgway, Scott Ahrens of Bloomington; one sister, Marlene Middleton of Waterloo; one brother, Ronald D. Ahrens of O’Fallon; five grandchildren, Austin, Sidney, Valerie, Jacob, and Ava.   He was preceded in death by his father; two sisters, Patricia A. Haberl and Helen Mae Lueking; one brother, Eugene H. Ahrens Jr.  Visitation for David will be held on Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shawneetown with prayer service at 4 p.m.    Funeral Mass will be held at the church on Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10 a.m. with Father Steven Beatty officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery near Ridgway.  Vickery Funeral Chapel of Ridgway in charge of arrangements.  Memorials in David’s memory may be made to VNA Hospice or to St. Kateri building fund.