William J. "Bill" Kleinschmidt, 91, of Jacksonville and formerly of Meredosia, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2016, at Heritage Health in Jacksonville.

He was born May 18, 1925, in Jacksonville, the son of William C. and Alma Westermeyer Kleinschmidt. He married Eloise Roegge on Sept. 28, 1952, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arenzville, and she survives.

He is also survived by one son, Don (Mariella) Kleinschmidt of Woodstock; one daughter, Janet (Glenn) Nesbo of Winchester; five grandchildren, Ryan (Jennifer) Kleinschmidt, Heidi Kleinschmidt, Julie Kleinschmidt, Amanda Nesbo and Janson Nesbo (Amber White); and two great-grandchildren, Conner and Abigail Kleinschmidt. He was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin (surviving wife, Betty of Jacksonville).

Mr. Kleinschmidt was a 1942 graduate of Jacksonville High School. He farmed in Scott and Morgan Counties and was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Bluffs.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Trinity Lutheran Church in rural Bluffs, with burial at Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will meet friends 4-6 p.m. Thursday at Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville. Memorials are suggested to Hillcrest Cemetery or Trinity Lutheran Church. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.

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Published by Jacksonville Journal-Courier on Dec. 28, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for William Kleinschmidt

9 Entries

Pete Fulkerson

April 3, 2017

4/3/17 - I met Bill back in 1978 at a St. Louis coin & paper money show, living in Kansas City at the time (home town of Carmi, IL). He was with Carroll Hilliard and from that point on Bill, Carroll & I continued a "paper money" relationship - meeting at shows in St. Louis-Memphis-Springfield, corresponding (I still have Bill's business card showing "Collecting Illinois Nationals" as the bottom as well as several letters Bill sent me over the years regarding comparing our collections, known notes, etc.) and sharing stories in our hunt for old paper money. He was a trail blazer in understanding the "rarity" of notes & banks, willing to always share his knowledge, and he contributed pictures of several of his notes for my book "The History of National Banking in Southern Illinois". We sold & traded notes with each other and had a good relationship. Carroll & I once traveled to Bill & Eloise's home near Meredosia, spending the afternoon will Bill proudly sharing all his notes (and some coins) with us. My memory has faded but I'm estimating perhaps 2010-2011 was the last time I saw Bill at a Springfield show. His eye sight had continued to fail even after the surgeries, and he had another man drive him to the show. However, it was good to spend over an hour with him visiting and catching up. He was a true friend & fellow companion in the hunt for Illinois national currency. I'm sure now he is with Carroll above sharing stories about old paper money, coins, and visiting with family & friends above. I will always cherish my time together will Bill and the memories we shared. I wish Eloise, his children and their families peace & fond memories of a very fine man. Pete Fulkerson SVP - The First National Bank of Carmi Carmi, IL

December 29, 2016

Eloise and family. Our sincere sympathy for your loss. Bill was on the Bluffs Board of Education that hired me as Superintendent of Schools in 1977. We had some good times while he served on the school board. I remember seeing Bill and Eloise on the golf course while they still did things together as they grew older. Still having fun together. Our family will always remember him as a good friend.
Bob, Addi & Alexa Rogers

Donna Tegeder

December 29, 2016

Eloise, Don, Janet and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I remember the many short day trips Bill, Daryle and Eldie took to look at farms, floods, orchards in Southern counties. They always stopped for lunch or pie along the way at Cooperstown. Eldie showed Bill and Daryle around the farms West of the Illinois River. Daryle always enjoyed these trips. We also shared a common enthusiasm researching family geneology. I will not be able to attend services due to my health. God will give you love, strength and courage.

Cynthia and Shelby (Tegeder) Johnson

December 29, 2016

Our deepest sympathy and prayers to all. Bill was such a nice man and good friend of my father Daryle. May the Lord give you strength in the upcoming days.

Dennis Rahe

December 29, 2016

Many sincere sympathies for Eloise, Don, Janet and families... I always enjoyed your family friendships. Bill was always great to me and interested in my life. He was a great man and so proud of his family! Prayers for your family...

Shirley & Ed Treadway

December 28, 2016

Sincere sympathy to you,Eloise & family.
Was glad we could visit with you both & Marv & Betty in recent times.

Reg & Nance Wood

December 28, 2016

You all are in our prayers. Unfortunately Nancy's Aunt's funeral services are at the same time in southern Illinois. You have our sympathies, We know things have been tough recently.

December 28, 2016

SO sorry to lose one of my first friends and neighbor. My prayers are with you Eloise and family. Carol Richardson Ferguson

Chris C

December 27, 2016

Sending our deepest sympathy and condolences to your family. May the God of all comfort strengthen you to cope and endure this difficult time.

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