William Barreuther

William E. Barreuther, age 89 of Montgomery left this world on Thursday, December 22, 2016 at Season’s Hospice and Palliative Care in Naperville.
He was born into this world on Wednesday, May 26, 1927 in Chicago to the parents of Edward and Barbara (Miesinger) “Mamie” Barreuther.
William grew up in Chicago, moved to Maywood for a short time and back to Chicago until being drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps. William’s father died when he was only eight-years-old and because William was significantly younger than the majority of his siblings he spent most of his time with his mother. Unfortunately at the age of seventeen, William and his siblings suffered the loss of their mother.
In the year 1945, while still in high school, William was given notice by the U.S. Army Air Corps that he was being drafted to service his country during the War. After completing basic training and still have never driven a car William was stationed in Japan to help fight. Upon arriving in Japan, William was assigned to drive an Army transport jeep to would haul his fellow comrades to and from the base. However, because William had never driven a vehicle some of his passengers had jumped from the jeep as soon as they got to where they were going and kissed the ground. They swore they would never ride on his jeep again. After some time William was ordered to leave the transport jeep and was given an ambulance. While in Japan William and the rest of the members of his company lived in an old Japanese airplane hanger. William owned a monkey and a dog during the war and somehow the monkey knew when the American’s were in danger. Every time the monkey sensed a Japanese soldier some toward them the monkey would warn its owner. After the war had ended William was ordered to stay back with a small group of men to make sure everyone the war had truly ended. Japanese people who lived in the mountains had not got word that the war had ended and felt the need to still protect themselves with gun fire when they saw any American soldiers. After returning from Japan William and some of his friends would play baseball over at the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital to help boost morale.
William attended Harrison High School in Chicago until getting drafted. He did have the honor of receiving his GED in 1947 at Harrison High School. While in high school William was quite the track star. He lettered in his sport and was selected as captain of the team his sophomore year. After receiving his GED, he attended the University of Illinois in Urbana for a short time for dentistry.
William and Letitia Neilsen were married on March 22, 1950 at the Oak Lawn United Methodist Church in Oak Lawn, IL. After their three children were teenagers they slowly drifted apart and were later divorced after 17 years.
After his brief enrollment at the University of Illinois William started working at the Electro Motive, Train Division for 2 years. He then went to work for the Berwyn School District at the Havlicek Elementary School as a custodian for 10 years. William found his calling as a stationary engineer. He was trained and shortly after was hired by Goldblatts Bros. Inc. department stores for 3 years. After three or four years of getting his feet wet William transferred to the Rivers Edge Mental Hospital in Forest Park for 8 years. William then went to work for the Windsor Medical Group at the McNeal Hospital for about 18 years. After retiring he starting his own carpet cleaning business and helped keep the carpets clean of his family, friends and neighbors for about 15 years. After hanging up the carpet cleaning business he went to work for Nyco Chemical Company in Countryside for about 5 years as part of their janitorial staff. He retired for the final time at the age 86.
As a proud veteran William was a member of the U.S. American Legion in LaGrange and VFW Posts in Montgomery and Countryside. He was also a long time member of the International Union of Operating Engineers.
William’s first Chicago Cubs game was in 1934 with his family. After that game at the friendly confines William knew he was hooked and forever would be a diehard fan. William enjoyed many things in life from family fishing trips to Waupaca Lake, WI and spending time with his grandchildren to maintaining his beautiful lawn. Spending time in his yard was William’s way of tranquility. He enjoyed these last few years sipping beer or wine and a fire on the patio with the doggies. On October 1, 2014 William had the privilege of traveling to Washington DC to take part in the Honor Flight to celebrate his time in the U.S. military.
He leaves behind his two daughters; Susan Willoughby, and Karen Chatton, one son; William A. Barreuther, grandchildren, Jillian (Kevin) FitzGerald, Shaina Castellaw, David Willoughby, Tracy (David) Campbell, great grandchildren; Landon Castellaw, Lawson Castellaw.
William now joins his parents, 1 sister; Edna Proper, and 3 brothers; Albert, Edward and George.
Visitation will be from 10:00am-12:00pm, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Conley Funeral Home in Elburn. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 12:00pm with Reverend Dawn Roucka of the Grace Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be at Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in William’s name. Checks may be made to the “William Barreuther Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page, or at www.conleycare.com.

A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 12:00pm with Reverend Dawn Roucka of the Grace Lutheran Church officiating.

Visitation will be from 10:00am-12:00pm, Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at the Conley Funeral Home in Elburn. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 12:00pm with Reverend Dawn Roucka of the Grace Lutheran Church officiating.

Burial will be at Blackberry Cemetery in Elburn.