Virginia PolettiVirginia Victoria Poletti, nee Renois, died Thursday, Nov. 24, 2016 at Bradford Place, Swansea, Ill.Virgina was born on Oct. 5, 1924, in Belleville, Ill. to Earl Renois and the former Estelle Touchette. She was a proud graduate of Belleville Township High School and Illinois State Normal University. She was a schoolteacher before raising her family in Collinsville, Ill. and later Millstadt, Ill. Virginia married Joseph W. Poletti Jr. on Dec. 27, 1947. They enjoyed many travels together during their six decades of marriage, eventually spending Joe's retirement years in Anchorage, Alaska. Following Joe's death in 2007, Virginia spent time in Oregon and on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula before returning home to the Metro East in 2013.Virginia was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and a brother, Vernon Renois.Surviving are six children, Bill (Jacquelyn) Poletti of Fairview Heights, Ill. John (Lynn) Poletti of Hamel, Ill. Mary DeVany (Wesley Lashbrook) of Vancouver, Wash., Paul Poletti of Handy, Mo., Richard Polette of Willard, Mo., and Thomas (Michelle) Poletti of Nikiski, Alaska; nine grandchildren, Teresa "Tracy" (Travis) Sherwood, Maj. Christine Downs, U.S. Army (Maj. Brian Downs, U.S. Army), Ross (Nicole) Poletti, Mary Poletti-Lappe (James Lappe), Joshua Poletti, Angela Poletti, Bailey (Stephanie) Poletti, Allison Poletti and Sara Poletti; three great-grandchildren, Wyatt Sherwood, Isabella Poletti and Roman Poletti; nieces, nephews and dear friends.In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Virginia's name to Mind's Eye (broadcast radio service for sight-impaired), 9541 Church Circle Drive, Belleville, Ill. 62223.Virginia's family would like to thank the staff of Bradford Place for their loving care during the twilight of her life, as well as Heartland Hospice for their compassionate expertise in their assistance with Virginia's final needs.Visitation: Friends may call from 9 to 11 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament.Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, 2016 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, Belleville, officiated by the Rev. Matthew Elie. Private interment will take place at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Mo.KURRUS FUNERAL HOME,Belleville, Ill.