John Kempel

John J Kempel Passed away April 3, 2024, at the Lena Living Center, where he was a resident since January 2022. John was born June 26, 1925, to Fred and Alma (Althoff) Kempel. John married Donna Kehr on January 11, 1947, at the first English Lutheran Church, Freeport, Illinois. He was a lifetime member of Salem United Church of Christ at Loran, Illinois.
After working as a cheesemaker for four years he farmed and worked in the carpenter trade being employed with Ray Stamm Inc. for thirty years, retiring in 1990. He served as town clerk and supervisor of Jefferson Township, 15 years on the Pearl City School Board, and was a member of the Stephenson County Schoolboard and Planning Commission.
His memberships included 67 plus years in the Masonic Lodge #823 in Pearl City, being a three-time Postmaster and fifty years as secretary. John was a member of Freeport Consistory of which he received the Double Headed Eagle and MSA award, also a member of Tebala Shrine of Rockford and a member of the T Ten and Shrine club. John was a 58-year member and past president of the Pearl City Lions at which he enjoyed doing many service projects and was a Melvin Jones Fellow. Being a member of the Freeport Elks Lodge #617 of Freeport, he was a past Exalted Ruler and served as District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler of the Northwest District 2000-2001. He held a membership in the Moose #1095 @ Savanna, IL.
He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and looking for mushrooms and helping others with service work.
He is survived by his Daughter Cathleen (Gary) Dambman - grandchildren Jason (Jacqueline) Kuhlemeier, Amanda (Tim) Hackbarth, Jarrod (Michelle) Kuhlemeier, Holli (Brian) Sanders and Brant (Colleen) Dambman. Daughter Susan Koehn - grandchildren Chad (Tara) Koehn, Angela (Ryan) Pierce, Kimberly (Matt) Haverland and Brittney (David) Ademeso. Son John (Tim Bruneau) Kempel. Great-Grandchildren Samantha, Jackson, and Sophia Kuhlemeier - Adelaide and Ellis Hackbarth - Adelynn, Graham, Lucille, and Hudson Kuhlemeier - Aubrey, Blake Taylor and Kristian Sanders, Wade and Tucker Dambman. Hunter and Hayley Koehn, Jayden and Bayley Pierce, Brighton (Eden) Haverland, Quince and Zyacn Haverland. Great-Grandson Bex Haverland. Sister Jean Greyer along with many nieces and nephews.
Proceeded in death by his wife of 62 years Donna (Kehr)Kempel, Son-in-law Donald Koehn, Parents Fred and Alma (Althoff) Kempel, Mother and Father-in-law Lenard and Ruth (Eberle) Kehr. Brother and Sister-in Laws, AIden (Dorothy), Melvin (Joan), Warren (Helen) and Ralph Kempel. Sister and Brother-in-laws, Ruth (Robert) Block, Marian (Robert) Jones, Brother-in-laws Richard Murphy and Glen Grever.
Visitation will be held on Monday April 15,2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Schwarz Park Blvd Chapel, located at 608 S. Park Blvd. Freeport Illinois, 61032. There will be an Elks Service and a Masonic Service at the end of the visitation. Funeral will be held Tuesday April 16, 2024, at Salem United Church of Christ in Loran at 11:00 am with a visitation at 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Memorials have been established for Leonard Ferguson Cancer Center 1163 W. Stephenson St. Freeport, Illinois 61032 and Northwest Hospice 773 W. Lincoln Blvd. Suite 402 Freeport, Illinois 61032.
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