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Kenneth Pyszka Obituary
Born: July 24, 1932 in LaSalle, IL
Died: March 8, 2022 in Peoria, IL
Kenneth Anthony Pyszka, 89, of Peru, passed away Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
A private family service has been held. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.
Ken was born July 24, 1932 at St. Mary's Hospital, LaSalle to Emil and Antoinette (Rosploch) Pyszka.
Ken was a graduate of LaSalle-Peru Township High School. After graduating, he served in the U.S. Army in Korea for two years. Returning home, Ken enrolled in L-P-O Junior College, and then Illinois State University, earning a bachelor's degree in education. The next day, August 10, 1957, he married Barbara A. Kotecki at St. Joseph's Church, Peru.
Ken began his teaching career in the Tonica Consilidated School District. After earning his master's degree in education, also at Illinois State University, he worked at LaSalle-Peru Township High School as a teacher/counselor, and then Illinois Valley Community College as an instructor for over 20 years. While teaching at IVCC, Ken formed and coached the first IVCC Womens' Basketball team. Their team bus was the orange family station wagon.
Ken served as president for the 708 Mental Health Board then, after retirement, served as the executive director.
Ken loved being a dad, a grandpa, sports, discussing politics and the Chicago Cubs.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara; two daughters, Kathryn and Beth; four grandchildren, Jackson, Maxwell, Joanna and Tallulah; his sister, Mary Lou Pyszka and his brother, James Pyszka both of LaSalle. We missed him the moment he left us.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The online guestbook may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.MuellerFH.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Pyszka
Sponsored by Mueller Funeral Home, Peru.
2 Entries
Gil Meyer
March 12, 2022
Ken was a wonderful colleague to work with at IVCC. He was a mentor to me during my early years at IVCC and I always valued his insights and dedication to our area students.
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Bob Steele
March 11, 2022
I enjoyed our talks together at the Y and he will be missed. I had him as a coach in grade school and also a teacher at IV
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