Mary J. (Ax) Halvachs-Keeser

Mary Josephine Halvachs-Keeser, nee Ax, age 95 of Belleville, IL, born February 23, 1927, in East St. Louis, IL, died on Thursday, November 24, 2022 surrounded by family at HSHS St. Elizabeth Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.

Mary Jo grew up in East St. Louis and attended St. Teresa Academy and retired from the Transportation Equipment Command Center. She never slowed down and was active at East Belleville YMCA and Corpus Christi Church.

Mary Jo loved being with her family and enjoyed traveling having made two recent trips. She was active in music of all kinds, including church choir, chorale, and square dancing.  Mary Jo gave back to her community by being active in church activities, especially reading for the blind at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine.

Perhaps as equally important to her activities and love for her family, Mary Jo was known to many as a Wonder Woman. A woman who always stood up for what was right, a woman who didn’t take guff from anyone, a woman who could always be counted on and whose integrity was simply unparalleled. She left an indelible mark on all those she met and will forever be cherished by all.

Mary was preceded in death by husbands Robert Halvachs and Frank Keeser; her son, Robert Edward Halvachs; her daughters, Mary and Carol Marie Halvachs; her parents, Margaret and Joe Ax; her sisters, Sister of the Precious Blood Dorothy Ann Ax, and Dorothy A. Walker.

Surviving are her sons, Paul (Melanie) Halvachs, Fred (Yvonne) Halvachs, Tom (Valerie) Halvachs, her daughter-in-law Martha; her siblings, Ginny Mackey, Ray (Sharon) Ax and Rose (James) Pappas II; her grandchildren, Robert (Betsy) Halvachs, Jr., Lisa (Chris) Wade, Rebecca (Robert) Riepshoff, Greg (Anne) Halvachs, Mike (Erin) Halvachs, Alex (Emily) Halvachs, Karolyn Halvachs, Nicholas (Brittany) Halvachs, Elizabeth Halvachs, Sonia Halvachs; great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Jasper, Eli, Violet and Isaac Halvachs; Tiffani (Josh) Hadler, Jennifer Schultze, Amber (Austin) Lawrence, Justin Swogger, Brandon Wade, Jake and Joseph Riepshoff;
great-great grandchildren, Henry Hadler, Bowen Schultze, Ava Lawrence, Maisyn Halvachs and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The Halvachs Family would like to thank her companion and partners in crime, Kelli and Dina Rees; friends at the YMCA and trainer Ted Harris.

Memorials may be made to Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Shiloh, IL or to the East Belleville YMCA.

Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.kasslyfuneral.com.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 26, 2022 from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 205 Rasp Street, Shiloh, IL 62269.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, November 26, 2022 at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Shiloh, IL

Interment will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in Fairview Heights, IL.

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