Elmer Fred Bietchert, 88, of Maryville, IL, passed away on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Anderson Hospital.

He was born November 1, 1937, in Collinsville, IL, to the late Edward and Lydia (née Wesemann) Bietchert. On July 15, 1966, he married June Dominick, who survives.

Elmer graduated from Collinsville High School, Class of 1955. He honorably served in the United States Army Reserves from 1960 to 1965. Elmer attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville for two years. After he and June married on July 15, 1966 they moved to Los Fresnos, TX where Elmer completed 17 weeks of the U.S. Border Patrol Academy. Then they moved to Lordsburg, NM where he entered a permanent position with the U.S. Border Patrol. The next few years they moved to Indio, CA then Oxnard, CA and Detroit, MI before landing permanently in the Chicago, IL area in July 1970, where Elmer was promoted to the U.S. Immigration Services. He retired in 1987 as a supervisory special agent. After retirement, he worked as a contract special investigator doing security and background investigations for several federal government agencies.

Elmer and June moved back to Collinsville in 2000 and later moved to Maryville. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Edwardsville, IL. He was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Retired Border Patrol Officers, the Illinois Police Association, and the Illinois Sheriff's Association.

Elmer enjoyed playing golf and spending the winter months traveling to Florida and Gulf Shores, AL.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings and their spouses: Earl and Verla Bietchert, Irene and Fred Moretti, and Dorothy and Rene Lochmann.

He is survived by his loving wife, June Bietchert; two daughters and sons-in-law, Michelle (Jeff) Bakken of Waterloo, IL, and Debbie (Rob) Waszak of Winfield, IL; three grandchildren, Alex (Mallory) Bakken, Bailey (Cole Schroeder) Waszak, and Emily Waszak; one great-grandchild, Cohen Bakken; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m., officiated by Rev. John Shank. Burial will be in St. John Cemetery in Collinsville, IL.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church and will be received at the visitation or may be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.