Werner P. Mackert

Werner P. Mackert, of Manhattan, passed away Saturday, October 31, 2026, at his daughter’s residence, surrounded by his family.

Werner is survived by his four loving children Genevieve (Craig) Judd, John (Becki) Mackert, Stephanie Demattia, and Heidi Miller. His dear sister Christl (the late Arnold) Schirpke.

He was the beloved grandfather of John (fiancée Leah) Mackert, Jr., Jared (Carly) Mackert, Aly Mackert, Patrick (fiancée Lisette) McElroy, Crystal (Ronnie) Novel, Danny (Stephanie) Willard, Maddie Pollard, Austin Miller, Alex (Kathryn) Miller, Emily (Nick) Kiekbusch, and Aiden Miller. Great-grandfather of Odette and Ellowyn Mackert, Emma Mulligan and Amelia and Mary Miller. Also surviving are his niece Renee (Eric) Robertazzi, great-nephew Max Robertazzi and his dear friends Mike and Kathy Simon.

He was preceded in death by his parents Paul and Genoveva (née Braun) Mackert, his sister Renate Stuurman, his brother Heinz Mackert and his beloved dog Toby.

Werner’s life was filled with hard work, enduring friendships, and a love of family. He arrived in America on January 23, 1959, entering through New York before joining family in Peoria. Over the years, he built a life that brought him into contact with countless people, many of whom became lifelong friends.

From 1968 to 1988, Werner owned and operated Rheinhouse Pizza & Rheinskeller Inn in Crest Hill. What began as a carryout business grew into a full-service restaurant featuring pizza and German cuisine, with a second location in New Lenox. His pizzas, beef sandwiches, and pizzaburgers are still fondly remembered, as are the gatherings in the beer garden and the Oktoberfest celebrations. For Werner, the restaurant was as much about the people as it was about the food.

An avid horse lover, Werner owned and trained Thoroughbred racehorses and spent many years delivering hay and straw to Arlington and Hawthorne racetracks. His working life also included Witco Chemical, Akzo Chemical and BASF, where he worked as a chemical technician. At the age of 75 Werner learned to drive a semi-truck. He also worked at Walmart, Target, Jewel, and for the past five years at Amazon in Crest Hill.

Werner loved a good conversation and readily struck one up with the people he met. He enjoyed attending the opera and orchestra concerts with his family and treasured family dinners and outings to restaurants. Annual visits to German Fest in Milwaukee and Chicago’s Christkindlmarket were favorite traditions and his sister’s hazelnut torte held a special place among his favorite treats. He was generous with what he had, always willing to share a few dollars with someone who needed help. A devoted Catholic, Werner attended several parishes throughout his life and was a parishioner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manhattan.

Werner’s family extends a heartfelt thank-you to John and Cora Kiefner for their friendship, kindness and steadfast support during his years living at their farm.

Family and friends will gather at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 255 W. North Street in Manhattan, Monday, November 9, 2026 at 10:00 A.M. for a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Joliet. Memorial contributions in Werner’s name may be made to HHH Ranch in Manhattan in support of animal rescue. Visitation will be held at the Carlson-Holmquist-Sayles Funeral Home & Crematory, 2320 Black Rd, Sunday, November 8, 2026 from 3:00 – 7:00 P.M.