Kenneth F. Rutz

Kenneth F. Rutz, age 84 of Pocahontas, IL, died Saturday, January 27, 2018, at Saint Joseph's Hospital in Highland, IL. He was born September 26, 1933, in Highland, IL, the son of Lawrence and Alice (nee Frisse) Rutz. On October 09, 1957, he married Mary A. Wilke at St. Rose Catholic Church. She survives in rural Pocahontas, IL. He was a member of Saint Gertrude Catholic Church. He was also a member of Knights of Columbus of Highland Council 1580; Teamsters Local #600 at St. Louis; Bond County Antique Club; former member of Teamster Local #125 at Alton; Heritage Museum -Greenville, IL; Leef Township Senior Citizens (former President); Highland Harvest Days. Kenny was born in Highland and grew up east of Grantfork and attended Fairview School. He graduated from Highland High School in 1951. He served with the US Army in 1953 and was stationed in North Carolina with the 82nd Airborne Division. He trained as a paratrooper. After his marriage in 1957 they moved 2 miles north of his childhood home. It was here they raised livestock and grain until retiring from farming in 2008. Their farm was registered a Centennial Farm. Along with farming, Kenny worked concurrently as an independent truck driver and later was employed by Bellm Freight Lines in Highland and then Churchill Trucking Co. in St. Louis, MO. He was a member of Teamsters #600. After retiring he served as a Trenton COOP Board Member. Kenny enjoyed antiques, woodworking, traveling with his wife and spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include: Wife - Mary A. Rutz, Pocahontas, IL Daughter - Gail E. (Vincent) Tebbe, St. Rose, IL Son - Todd D. (Tami) Rutz, Pocahontas, IL Daughter - Kris M. (Eric) Hundsdorfer, Highland, IL Daughter - Jody R. (Craig) Marti, Highland, IL Grandchild - Theodore J. "T.J." (Laura) Tebbe, St. Rose, IL Grandchild - Garret K. Tebbe, St. Rose, IL Grandchild - Jamie N. Hundsdorfer, Highland, IL Grandchild - Morgan E. Lowe, New Baden, IL Grandchild - Megan J. Hundsdorfer, Highland, IL Grandchild - Chloe A Marti, Highland, IL Grandchild - Gabriel R. Marti, Highland, IL Great Grandchild - Theodore R. Tebbe Jr., St. Rose, IL Great Grandchild - Henry J. Tebbe, St. Rose, IL Brother - Carl L. (Shirley) Rutz, Highland, IL Brother - Donald J. (Lucille "Cookie") Rutz, Highland, IL Brother - Ronald J. Rutz, Pocahontas, IL Brother-in-law - Homer H. (Sharon) Rusteberg, Highland, IL Brother-in-law - Stanley (Joan) Wilke, Highland, IL Sister In-law - Pauline Wilke, Aviston, IL Sister In-law - Theodora Wilke, Breese, IL Sister In-law - Mary Wilke, Breese, IL He was preceded in death by: Father - Lawrence C. Rutz - Died 1/15/1986 Mother - Alice E. Rutz, nee Frisse - Died 7/04/1976 Sister - Nancy A. Rusteberg - Died 2/10/1990 Sister In-law - Yvonne M. "Bonnie" Rutz - Died 4/01/2016 Father-in-law - Henry H. Wilke - Died 10/11/1960 Mother-in-law - Theresa R. Wilke, nee Goestenkors - Died 4/19/1978 Brother-in-law - Edward B. Tebbe - Died 10/15/2004 Sister-in-law - Veronica M. Tebbe, nee Wilke - Died 3/16/2005 Brother-in-law - Vincent B. Wilke - Died 8/06/1994 Brother-in-law - Ralph B. Wilke - Died 3/01/2010 Brother-in-law - Norbert T. Wilke - Died 8/03/2012 Brother-in-law - Francis B. "Buzzy" Wilke - Died 12/30/2007 Sister-in-law - Bertha E. Wilke, nee Grapperhaus - Died 2/13/1994 Arrangements are being handled by Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL and from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM on Thursday, February 01, 2018, at Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home in Highland, IL. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 1, 2018, at Saint Gertrude Catholic Church in Grantfork, IL, with Father Scott Snider officiating. Interment will be at St. Gertrude Catholic Cemetery in Grantfork, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Grantfork Volunteer Fire Department or St. Gertrude Catholic Church.

Kenneth F. Rutz

September 26, 1933 - January 27, 2018