Andrew M. "Andy" Batchelor

ALTON - Andrew "Andy" M. Batchelor, 65, passed away at 6:10 a.m. on Saturday, November 29, 2014, at Rosewood Care Center in Alton, after a long battle with heart failure. He was born on October 20, 1949, in Alton, Ill., the son of the late Clarence D. and Dorothy D. (Mitchell) Batchelor.

Andy was the owner and operator of Andy's Auto Body for more than 40 years retiring in 2007. He was a former member of Cherry Street Baptist Church in Alton, a board member of the Boy Scouts of America, trustee for Foster Township, and a regular community volunteer. Batchelor, a life long Cardinals fan, was born and raised in Alton, and was proud of his rural farm community roots. In his retirement he had returned to his love of the farm and began raising chickens and gardening produce, popcorn, and Christmas trees – for fun – donating much of his produce to the local crisis center to benefit those in need. He also enjoyed writing and was a regular contributor for the Alton Telegraph. His greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy (Miller); two children and their spouses; daughter, Jennifer, and Troy DeFranco, of Palatine; son, Mark, and Tara Batchelor, of Lake Zurich; four grandchildren, Madisyn and Devin DeFranco, and Paige and Maggie Batchelor; one sister and her spouse, Bonita (Marvin) Mosby of Florida; and two brothers and their spouses, Stephen (Barbara) Batchelor of Alton, and David (Dianna) Batchelor of New Mexico; a sister-in-law, Carol (Victor) Palomino; a brother-in-law, Gary Miller; nieces and nephews, Christy (Robertson) and Michal Mosby, Stacey (Ripp), Dana (Redman) and Matt Batchelor, Tara and Aaron Batchelor, and Catye and Jeff Palomino; and many great nieces and nephews, and extended family members.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Friday, December 5, 2014, at the Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton. Funeral Service will be at 10 a.m, Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home in Alton, with Andy's childhood friend, Rev. John Cannon, officiating. Burial will follow at the Fosterburg Cemetery in Fosterburg, Ill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Crisis Center of Alton or the Andy Batchelor Memorial Automotive Education Scholarship, which is being established by the family. Donations to this scholarship fund can be made to Edward Jones and mailed to Edward Jones, FBO Batchelor Scholarship, 237-C East Center Drive, Alton, IL 62002.

Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com