Alvin B. Dressler, 78
Alvin B. Dressler, 78, of Freeburg, died on Sunday, April 2, 2023, at the Greenville Nursing and Rehab Center.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, at Assalley Funeral Home, 118 E. College Avenue in Greenville. Burial will be at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 12, at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125. Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville is assisting the family with arrangements.
Mr. Dressler was born on May 31, 1944, in Belleville, the son of Allen and Pauline (Kalkoff) Dressler. He married Roselyn Olinda Ruhmann in Fayetteville, on May 19, 1967, and they shared 55 years of marriage.
Mr. Dressler was already enlisted in the U.S. Navy prior to graduating high school. He was assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam War, serving on her flight deck as part of the accident and fire response team and also as a tow tractor driver. During this time, he was able to experience various ports of call in the Pacific. After his service in the Navy, Mr. Dressler began driving a truck for Tucker Freight and later, Inman Freight Company off Hall Street in St. Louis. He eventually switched to the graveyard shift, spotting trailers so he could work during the day helping his father and brothers on the farm and with the trucking.
When Inman closed, Mr. Dressler returned to the farm and started driving truck for the family business, Dressler Truck Service. The business continued to grow as more of Alvin’s brothers joined permanently. Eventually, Dressler Truck Service branched out into grain warehousing with the purchase of the grain elevator in Freeburg in the late 1980s. About 10 years later the grain elevator in Donnellson was purchased, where Mr. Dressler decided to concentrate his efforts alongside his sons, to provide service for the area farmers.
When he was no longer able to drive the semi, Mr. Dressler would help out unloading farmers’ trucks during fall harvest. He enjoyed seeing everyone and having the chance to shoot the bull during this time. Mr. Dressler was no stranger to hard work, a hearty meal and of course cold Stag beer. He was a member of the St. Libory Legion Post #0683, Teamsters Union, Montgomery County Farm Bureau, and one time St. Libory Moose Club. He leaves behind many grieving family and friends.
Mr. Dressler is survived by his wife, Roselyn ‘Rosie’ Dressler of Freeburg; children, Tracy Dressler of Donnellson, Julie (Tom) Murphy of Smithton and Todd (Monica) Dressler of Freeburg; grandson, Aidan Murphy of Smithton; siblings, twin brother, Allen (Glenda) Dressler of St. Libory, Dennis (Donna) Dressler of Lenzburg, Paul (Anna) Dressler of St. Libory, Charles (Lisa) Dressler of St. Libory, Beth (Art) Arenas of Waterloo, Gerald (Cindy) Dressler of St. Libory and Marian (Don) Williams of St. Libory; sister-in-law, Debbie Buss of St. Libory; and numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, James Dressler.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Heritage Farm Museum, 1395 Museum Ave., Greenville, IL 62246. Condolences may be left online at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.