Patricia Gundlach

Patricia Barr Gundlach, 89, of Belleville, IL, born August 28, 1936, in West Frankfort, IL, died Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at her daughter’s residence with family by her side.

Mrs. Gundlach graduated from DePaul School of Nursing and worked as a surgical scrub nurse at DePaul Hospital for a few years. She later worked for 23 years as an office manager at her husband’s dental practice, Dr. Richard Gundlach, DDS. She was a former member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and a current member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, both in Belleville, IL. For many years, Pat attended mass daily at both the Poor Clare Monastery and St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church and was a member of the Cenacle of Divine Mercy, and the Third Order of St. Francis. She was a past-president of the Women’s Golf Association at St. Clair Country Club and for 10 years also served as a stroke judge for the swim team.

Pat was proud to have been the Editor-in-Chief of her high school newspaper. She served on the board of the Malibu Shores Condominium Association at the Lake of the Ozarks. She loved spending time at the lake and enjoyed a good social hour with friends. She loved spoiling her friends and family with flowers. Pat led a life of service and was a longtime volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Mrs. Gundlach loved her cats, and her family lovingly nicknamed her “Pat the Cat”. She remained very active in her faith and led multiple tour groups to Medjugorje, Bosnia-Herzegovina.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Richard E. Gundlach, D.D.S, whom she married on August 22, 1959, in West Frankfort, IL, and who died on February 22, 2014; two sons, Brian Richard Gundlach and Terence Andrew Gundlach; her parents, Joseph and Mary Ann “Polly”, nee Pearson, Barr; a sister, Dorothy Cignetti; a brother-in-law, Jack (Catherine) Gundlach; and two nephews, Karl Gundlach and Jeffrey Gundlach;

She is survived by two daughters, Nancy (William E. III) Miller of Alton, IL, and Denise (John William Jr.) Wottowa of Columbia, IL; four grandchildren, William E. Miller IV, Mary Patricia (Travis) Good, Jack Richard Wottowa, and Dr. Margo Barr Wottowa (Justin) Bean; three great-grandchildren, Andrew, William, and Stephen Good; three siblings, Joan Mosher, William (Darlene) Barr, and Mary Jo (Wayne) Barker; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church or in the form of Masses to St. Augustine of Canterbury. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.

Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy will be recited at 6 p.m. Thursday followed by a Third Order of St. Francis prayer service.

Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2025, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating.

Burial will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.

Obit Provided By:
Renner Funeral Home