Frank Kemmis

Frank Arlo "Arkie" Kemmis, 78, of Geneseo, Ill., died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2005, at Loraine United Methodist Church, Rural Prophetstown, Ill. Rev. William Deisher will officiate. Burial will be in the Kemmis Cemetery, rural Prophetstown. Visitation will be Monday from 4-8 p.m. at Vandemore Funeral Home LTD, Geneseo. Memorials may be left to the Loraine United Methodist Church or Geneseo Lions Club.
Arkie was born Oct. 18, 1926, in Loraine Township, Ill., the son of Lyman and Wilma Wildman Kemmis. He was a Geneseo High School graduate. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Arkie married his high school sweet heart, Joyce Klemmer on March 6, 1947, in Loraine United Methodist Church. She passed away on March 22, 2001. He was a life long farmer and livestock raiser in rural Prophetstown.
Arkie was a longtime member of the American Angus Association, and along with his father Lyman, and brother Lyle Kemmis, raised champion Angus cattle, including the Grand Champion Angus Bull at the American Royal in Kansas City. A son of that bull, KF Bardolier the 4th, was bred at Kemmis Farms and became the Angus Association's North American Sire of the Year in both 1960 and 1961. He was a life time member of Loraine United Methodist Church, Prophetstown, and a charter member of Henry Co. Livestock Feeder Association. He was also a member of the Geneseo Lions Club, Henry Co. Farm Bureau, American Legion, and board member of the Geneseo Food Pantry. Arkie was a Loraine Township Trustee, a Union Specialist Drainage Ditch Commissioner and a Youth Counselor at Loraine Church. He loved sports especially the Illini. He enjoyed interacting with great friends, too numerous to mention including his coffee group, card club, and golfing buddies. He loved his entire family and was extremely proud of his grandchildren.
Survivors include two sons and spouses, Tim (Holly) Kemmis, Elkhart Lake, Wis, John (Irene) Kemmis, Geneseo; four grandchildren and spouse, Colin (Erin) Kemmis, Brooklyn Park, Minn., Carly Kemmis, Mishawaka, Ind., Rafe Kemmis, Carbondale, Ill., Kathryn Kemmis, Milwaukee, Wis.; two sisters, Mable Buysse, Atkinson, Ill., Lenora Pritchard, Geneseo; special friend, Jackie Tumasonis, Geneseo.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Lyle Kemmis.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vandemorefuneralhome.com