Kenneth Dean Neahring

1947 - 2022

Kenneth Dean Neahring
Born: October 10, 1947
Died: June 19, 2022
Kenneth Dean Neahring, age 74, of Geneva, formerly of Kaneville, passed away surrounded by the love and prayers of his family on Father's Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022.
He was born October 10, 1947, in Princeton to loving parents Doris and Ivan "Spud" Neahring. Ken grew up on his family farm in Sheffield and graduated from Manlius High School. After graduating from Western Illinois University, Ken enlisted in the Army Reserves.
Ken "Coach" began his teaching career in 1970 at Franklin Center and coached basketball, track, and football. Franklin Center was where he had a pivotal impact on students and players. In 1980, the varsity boys' basketball team qualified for the super sectionals, a highlight in Coach's career! As a former player commented "A good coach affects a game. A GREAT coach affects a life and creates a memory that lasts a lifetime." Most importantly, he consistently exemplified what it was to be a good man.
Ken later met his future wife, or as he called her "his beautiful bride" Deborah (Hoy) in Dixon, IL. It is there where they started their love story on Veteran's Day when they met doing laundry. They were married on February 18, 1978, at St. Patricks' Church in Dixon, IL.
Ken then started at Kaneland High School in 1986 teaching drivers' education and physical education as well as coaching varsity basketball, football, and softball. During this time, Ken also coached at Waubonsee Community College in which they had their most successful season in school history. Ken coached at Hinckley-Big Rock and alongside his son Jeff at Oswego East High School. He worked hard and always added another job to teaching or coaching to provide for his family, sacrificing his own wants
to make memories with his family.
Some memorable moments during these years includes two regional titles for basketball, taking Waubonsee Community College basketball team to 7th place for their first appearance in the national tournament, leading the 2000 Kaneland Softball team to the state finals and being inducted into the
Illinois Basketball Coaching Association Hall of Fame in 2015. In his retirement, he continued to drive the bus and coach golf for Kaneland High School for the next 19 years, because he loved the connections and relationships he made. Those were his glory days.
In his retirement, Ken enjoyed boating on the lake, touring baseball stadiums, biking along the river, golfing with his friends and grandchildren and made his first hole in one. Ken enjoyed traveling with Deb to new destinations including Rome and a riverboat cruise along the Rhein River. He was always rooting for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and even got the chance of a lifetime to attend two World Series games!
He loved the basic-good things in life; a huge garden, a well-kept yard, a home cooked meal, visiting family and friends, and attending Sunday mass. He cherished his time with his family, and you could always find him outside either working in the yard or playing with his kids and grandkids. He is
unmistakably a "Neahring," disciplined, hard-working and kind. He always gave credit to everyone else and lead by example.
Ken wasn't someone who was taken from us, he was someone who was given to us. He will be missed by his loving wife of 44 years, Deb, five children: Jeff (Marti) Neahring, Michelle (Tim) Yocum, Katherine Hess, Liz Neahring and Ivan Angulo and Kristina Neahring; 5 grandchildren: Kelsie and Katie Neahring, Hayden Hess, and Austin and Morgan Yocum. He is survived by his four siblings: John, Larry, Robert, and Joy. He is now reunited with his parents, Doris and Ivan Neahring and his infant brother, Richard.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8pm on Thursday June 23, 2022, at Moss-Norris Funeral Home in St. Charles.
Funeral services will be Friday, June 24th at noon at St. Patrick's Catholic Church 400 Cedar Street, St. Charles, IL. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in St. Charles, IL.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Accent Care Hospice in Naperville, IL or Alzheimer's Association.