John Elmer Nehrt

John Elmer Nehrt was born on April 8, 1952, in Breese, Illinois, the fifth child of parents Anna
(Hermsmeyer) and Elmer Nehrt (Both Deceased). He grew up on farms in the Carlyle, Illinois, area. He
graduated from Carlyle High School (with perfect attendance), Kaskaskia Junior College and Western
Illinois University (BS in Law Enforcement Administration) and took additional classes in computer
science at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.
John was drafted after Junior College and served in the Army Military Police at Redstone Arsenal,
Huntsville, Alabama, before returning to school at Western Illinois University (WIU). After WIU, he began
work as a Claims Representative for the Social Security Administration, St. Louis, Missouri, and later in
Alton, Illinois, becoming a Social Security Technical Expert.
John married Kathy (Workman) Nehrt on April 9, 1977, in Moline, IL. They lived initially in Belleville and
then Troy, Illinois. They were blessed with children Timothy Nehrt (Melissa) of Brentwood, MO, Andrew
(Jodie) Nehrt of Glen Carbon, IL, and Rebecca Nehrt-Flores of Webster Groves, MO. Additional blessings
are grandchildren Claire, Elliott and Ivy Joy Nehrt, Henry and Lila Nehrt, Juniper and Graham Nehrt-
Flores.
John served on the City of Troy Planning Commission and participated in the Troy Lions Club. He
coached teams in soccer, baseball and softball for his kids. He was active in church (St. Paul's and Our
Lord's Lutheran). He most enjoyed being outside mowing and trimming lawns and trees for his kids,
neighbors and family. He was often watching or attending the sporting events of his grands and
professional teams. John enjoyed traveling, driving across the United States while Kathy was the
navigator and he visited various countries while cruising oceans and rivers.
John is survived by siblings: James (Rosie) Nehrt, Carlyle IL; Jeannette (Wayne) Carter (Both Deceased),
Parker, AZ; Judy (Ken – Deceased) Johnson, Belleville, IL; and JoAnn (Dan) Gross, Bartelso, IL. He is also
survived by father-in-law: H Burdette "Bud" (Dorothy – Deceased) Workman, Glen Carbon, IL; Sister-in-
law Julie (Jeff) Jenkins, Scottsdale, AZ and Brother-in-law Dave (Sheri) Workman, Westborough, MA and
many nieces and nephews.
John passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024, at home surrounded by his family at the
age of 72. The family expresses gratitude for the excellent care given to John by the BJC Hospice team
and Right at Home personal caregivers. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Lions of Illinois Foundation, 700 N. Peace Rd, Suite B, DeKalb, IL 60115, (lionsofillinoisfoundation.org), Troy Lions Club, PO Box 238, Troy, Illinois 62294, Our Lord's Lutheran Church, 150 Wilma Drive,
Maryville, Illinois 62062 (ourlords.org) or the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at 5526 West 13400
South, #510, Herriman, Utah 84096 (cholangiocarcinoma.org). Visitation will be held on Saturday,
January 4, 2025, at Our Lord's Lutheran Church, 150 Wilma Drive, Maryville, Illinois 62062 from 9:00
a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Please join us in celebrating John's life
at the memorial service, where we will remember his enduring spirit and the joy he brought to all of us.
RICHESON FUNERAL HOME, Troy, IL