Joseph Charles Rieken, 90, of Columbia, IL, born March 4, 1932 in St. Louis, MO, passed away on Monday, January 16, 2023, at Woodlands of Arnold.

Mr. Rieken was a U.S. Army Veteran and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Cahokia, IL. He retired from American Can Company, St. Louis, MO and was in the Steelworkers Union. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Cahokia Council #4596, and a former Grand Knight, was a Fourth Degree Knight in the 1666 Leo W. Jerome Assembly, and a member of the Holy Name Society. Joe coached for SIAC and multiple sports. He played baseball for Harris Teachers College, during his military service, and on the St. Louis Browns. Joe was very active most of his life, including helping and volunteering, playing cards and horseshoes. He loved the beach, spending time with his family and friends, and he never knew a stranger.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Dorothy, nee Kessler, Rieken; his parents, Henry and Antonetta, nee Hock, Rieken; a brother, Donald Rieken; four sisters, Bernice Hoehn, Pearl Gerst, Henrietta Pfeffer, and Mary Jane Burns.

Surviving are his children, Kathleen (Gary) Bolhofner of Ballwin, MO, Joseph (Susan) Rieken of Columbia, IL, John (Michelle) Rieken of Arnold, MO, Mary Kimberly Rieken of Columbia, IL, and  Patricia Cecena of Columbia, IL; grandchildren Erik (Caroline) Rieken, Janet (Ian) Bellerson, Anne (Kyle) Smith, Neil (Kelly) Rieken, Elizabeth Bolhofner, Ryan (Danielle) Magouirk, Jonathan (Da Hye) Bolhofner, Rachel Magouirk and fiancé Jake Queen, Christiian Rieken, Andrew Bolhofner, and Rebecka Rieken; great grandchildren Sabrina, Isabella, Samantha, Jackson, Walter, Viviana, Penelope, Juliana, Gretchen, Dove, and three on the way. Joe was a dear uncle, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend to many.

Memorials may be made to American Parkinson Disease Associations or Songs for Soldiers

Visitation will be on Monday, January 23, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Braun Family Funeral Home, 265 Quarry Road, Columbia, IL.  A Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus Service will be held at 7:00 p.m.

Funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Family Catholic Church, Cahokia, IL, with Father Osang Idagbo, CM officiating. Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

Online condolences may be expressed at braunfh.com.