Harold Howard Hirstein

Harold Howard Hirstein, 97, of Waterloo, Illinois, was called to his Heavenly Father on February 24, 2024, after a short illness in St. Louis, MO.

    He was born October 3,1926 to Samuel A. Hirstein and Alvina M. Hirstein, nee Harpstrite, in Trenton, IL on the family farm. He graduated from Lebanon High School, Lebanon IL. He attended Jr. College with an interest in accounting. Harold served in the US Navy during World War II from 1944-1946 and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. After an honorable discharge from military service, he was employed by G.S. Suppiger, Belleville, IL and took a supervisory position in Waterloo, IL, where he met Beverly A. Amrine on a blind date. They were married in 1951 at St. Paul's UCC church in Waterloo, IL. They had 4 children together. After Suppiger, he worked 17 years for the Standard Oil Company delivering fuel to homes and farms in Monroe County. At this time he was also an insurance agent for Kemper Insurance and served as the Justice of the Peace performing many weddings in the family home. He was elected alderman for the City of Waterloo, serving from 1962-1970, and eventually elected City Clerk. He later became the Budget Officer for the City of Waterloo and semi-retired from this position in 1989. He then worked part time as the Zoning Officer until he fully retired in 1993. He was a member of the American Legion Post #747, the VFW Post #6504, and the Waterloo Masonic Lodge #787, as well as a charter member of the Waterloo Optimist Club. In 2011, he was chosen to go to Washington, DC as part of the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight program, for which he was very grateful. In later years, Harold met Dorothy B. Miller at a singles dance and found out they had both attended Lebanon High School. They were together for many years. They enjoyed family, traveling and wintering in Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Leslie Dale Hirstein, Beverly A. Hirstein, and Dorothy B. Miller. 

           He is survived by his children, Gary (Mary) Hirstein, Katha (Mark) Cranage, John (Cheri) Hirstein, Sharon (Ken Weiler) Hirstein, 8 grandchildren, Eric Hirstein, Nicholas (Tracy) Hirstein, Nicholas McClane (Holly Ragan), Carrie (Mike) Love, Amy (Raub) Olsen, Holly (Adam) Radford, Scott Hirstein, Matthew (Michelle) Jaenke, 11 great-grandchildren, Claire Hirstein, Molly McClane, Sam McClane, Elliott Love, Callum Love, Oliver Olsen, Emerson Olsen, Miles Olsen, Wesley Olsen, Reese Radford, Arthur Radford, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is also survived by Dorothy's family, daughters Barbara (Jim) Stewart, Mary (Chuck) Carnahan, grandson Jon Michael (Selene) Fitzsimmons, great grandson Killian Fitzsimmons, and granddaughter Catherine (Jason) Williams. Harold's greatest joy came from all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren along with his deep faith in God. He also loved fishing, and playing cards of all kinds, especially poker and bridge, and telling a joke or two. Harold was a blessing to all he encountered, serving God, his country and his beloved City of Waterloo, and will be deeply missed.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to: 

Helping Strays and Veterans Honor Flight

Visitation:

    4 PM to 8 PM Thursday, February 29, 2024 at Quernheim Funeral Home

    9 AM until time of service Friday at Quernheim Funeral Home

Funeral:

    10 AM Friday, March 1, 2024 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo, IL

        Pastor Matt Friz officiating

    Interment at Trenton City Cemetery in Trenton, IL