Staunton Star - Times - Published in the Interest of the Staunton Community for Over 143 Years

Kenneth R. Stahlschmidt, 81, of rural New Douglas, Ill., died on Monday, April 11, 2022, at Brookstone Estates Assisted Living in Vandalia. He was born on Sept. 14, 1940, in St. Charles, Mo., the oldest child of Raymond and Dorothy (Dwiggins) Stahlschmidt. He married Jean Boas on Sept. 12, 1970, at St. John Catholic Church in Coffeen. She preceded him in death on Nov. 13, 2020.

Kenneth served six months of active duty for our country in the U.S. Army National Guard and six years with the U.S. Army Reserve from July 22, 1963, to July 21, 1969. Kenneth was a farmer and, along with his late wife Jean, worked the family farm. He also loved to help family and neighbors with any mechanical work, especially tractors. He was an antique tractor enthusiast.

Kenneth attended St. Michael's Catholic Church in Staunton, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston, and St. Ubaldus Catholic Church in New Douglas. Kenneth and Jean were involved with the Catholic Youth Organization. They enjoyed attending community events, participating in bowling leagues, and dancing. Above all, Kenneth loved and enjoyed being with his family, especially his grandchildren.

He is survived by his two daughters, Annette (Dennis) Hartlieb and Beth (Kevin) Potthast; five grandchildren, Alexi, Bryce, and Mason Hartlieb, and Eric and Matthew Potthast; sisters, Margie Ford, Judy (Arnold) Klein, Agnes Stahlschmidt (husband Parviz Nikrawesh), Janet (Tom) Hohenstein, Alice (Ed) Delahanty, Helen King, Nancy Stahlschmidt, Pat Stahlschmidt (husband Steve Loe), Grace Stahlschmidt (husband Jimmy Taylor); sisters-in-law, Margie Casey, Virginia (Kenny) Polo, Loretta (Dan) Campbell, Martha Ellis, Ginger Boas; brother-in-law, Joe Boas; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers-in-law, Melvin Casey, Larry Ellis, Danny King, Bob Boas, Fred Boas, and Anthony Boas; sisters-in-law, Bernadine Johnson and Louise Boas.

A Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday, April 19, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Livingston with the Very Rev. Fr. Thomas Hagstrom officiating. Burial was in the New Douglas Cemetery with military honors provided by the Staunton Area Veterans Honor Guard and their bugler.

Memorials may be made to the New Douglas Fire Department or to the Bond County Fair Association for the Antique Tractor Show. Condolences may be left online at http://www.lesickofuneral home.com. Lesicko Funeral Home in Livingston was in charge of arrangements.