Alvin Ernest Bredthauer of Belvidere, Ill., and formerly of Scotia, died Friday, June 4, 2010 at his home in Belvidere.

Alvin was born July 5, 1915 in Scotia to Herman D. and Anna Marie (Klein) Bredthauer.

Survivors are: daughters and sons-in-law: Phyllis (the late Dr. Thomas) Harwood of Elgin, Ill., Sandra and Bruce Gielow of Elgin, Ill., and Betty and Craig Panepucci of Elgin, Ill.; sons and daughters-in-law: Gerald "Jerry" and Joyce Bredthauer of Murray, Ky., and James Alvin and Pera Bredthauer of Belvidere, Ill; grandchildren and a spouse, Dr. Jennifer Bredthauer (Michael Vanhook) of Calera, Ala., Rebecca Gielow of Rockford, Ill., Erin Panepucci of Elgin, Ill., Michael Bredthauer of Carmel, Ind., and Daniel Bredthauer of Elgin, Ill.; great grandchildren: Jordan Richards of Elgin, Ill., and Kenneth Bredthauer of Carmel, Ind.; sister-in-law, Dorothy Bogaard of Sun City Center, Fla.; cousin, Phillip Seefus, Benedict, Neb.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Alvin was a graduate of Scotia High School in 1932.

On July 12, 1936, he was united in marriage at Arcadia to Arlene Fern Eyerly. She preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2009.

Alvin was employed by the Loup Valley Co-operative Oil Company and farmed the home place of his parents northeast of Scotia until 1957, when he moved with his family to Algonquin, Ill, where he operated the farm owned by Dr. James B. Eyerly.

Alvin and Arlene retired from farming, moving first into the town of Algonquin and then in 1999, to Belvidere.

Alvin was a lifelong member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, most recently of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Belvidere, Ill.

As a young man, he enjoyed playing baseball with the town team in Scotia, Neb. serving as manager for several years. Towns with teams in the Sherman-Howard League included Scotia, Wolbach, Dannebrog, Ashton, Greeley, Palmer and Farwell.

After moving to Illinois in 1957, he played several years for the Algonquin team. He was an avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals throughout his life. He also enjoyed playing cards and being with his family, neighbors and friends

In addition to his parents and wife, Alvin was preceded in death by four brothers, Elmer, Herman H., Wilmer, and Clarence; five sisters, Sophie Fuss, Lillian Williams, Dorothy Meyer, Ruth, and Lula Kirby; a stepmother, Gertrude; a stepbrother, Henry Leindecker; a stepsister, Mollie Long; and by his son-in-law Dr. Thomas Harwood.

Published in The Grand Island Independent on 6/7/2010