Cletus R. Schlarman, 94, of Belleville, Ill., born Dec. 28, 1909, in Breese, Ill., died Dec. 2, 2004, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Belleville.

Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman and priests of the Belleville diocese concelebrated the Mass of Christian burial at St. Peter Cathedral on Dec. 4. Burial followed in Green Mount Catholic Cemetery.

"Clete" was the former owner of the Phillips Petroleum Distributing Services in Belleville. He was a lifelong member of St. Peter Cathedral parish, where he served as a Eucharistic minister until his full retirement. He was a graduate of the former Cathedral High School, which later became Althoff Catholic High School. He contributed generously to the building of the new high school.

Clete was a lifetime and Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Belleville Council 1028. He was also a member of the Cathedral Holy Name Society and the St Vincent DePaul Society.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy A., who died July 29, 2004; his parents, Charles and Mary, nee Fick, Schlarman; and three brothers, Herbert, Richard, and Father Cyril Schlarman of the Peoria diocese.

Surviving are his two daughters, Catherine (John F.) Knight of Chicago, and Sister Patricia Schlarman of the Adorers of the Blood of Christ, Ruma, currently serving as a pastoral minister for the Hispanics in Southern Illinois; two sons, Thomas C. (Rosalie) Schlarman of Belleville, and Bishop Stanley G. Schlarman, serving in the Diocese of Joliet; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, and friends.

Memorials may be made in the form of Mass offerings or to the Catholic Urban Programs of the Diocese of Belleville (ministries to the poor) or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.