William J. Emhoff

CHILLICOTHE-William Joseph Emhoff, 69, of Chillicothe, passed away at 1:20 pm on Saturday, December 12, 2009 at his home. He was surrounded by his loving family who will miss him like crazy! He was born on August 19, 1940 in Creston, Iowa, Union County, to Leo Joseph and Lorraine Ellen Dudley Emhoff. He married Helen May Coiner on April 22, 1965 in Springfield, IL. She survives. He is also survived by 3 sons Guy (Lori) Emhoff, Leo (Shelley) Emhoff, both of Chillicothe, and Brian (Beth) Emhoff of Mapleton; 2 daughters Debbie (Jerry) Dunn of Tequesta, FL, and Mary Ann (Dennis) Halvorson, of Chillicothe; 6 grandchildren Nicky-cole Halvorson, Tyler Joseph Halvorson, Logan Dunn, Kelsey Halvorson, Kacie Orr and his namesake William Jospeh Emhoff ll; 1 brother James (Morag) Emhoff of Peoria; 4 sisters Jeanette (Don) Harris of Alba, TX, Joann (Bob) Hartman of Washington, Jean Karrick of Peoria, and Jo Lynn Holm of Thomasboro, IL; and many, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, E. Robert Emhoff and John M. Emhoff, an infant sister, Jacqueline, twin daughters, Lori and Laura Emhoff, and his faithful companion Rocky Road. He attended St Patrick’s School in Washington and Washington High School. Bill was employed by the Kroger Company starting as a part time employee in High School and went on to become store manager for 33 years serving stores in Moline, Davenport, IA, Morris, Decatur, Washington, and Peoria. Bill retired from Kroger in 2001 and missed all the people he worked with over the years. He was in the Marine Reserves for six years from 1963-1969, completing his basic training at Paris Island in Camp Lejeune, NC, and helped with the Toys for Tots drive. In his youth he enjoyed riding and racing his motorcycle. He was a member of the Peoria Motorcycle Club in the 50’s. Bill was a devoted Father and Grandfather. He was an outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, fishing, and exploring the U.S. He loved to travel seeing every state in the U.S. but six. He enjoyed spending time at his condo in Florida for the winter. His children and grandchildren were his number one joy in life. He thoroughly enjoyed a once in a lifetime vacation in Breckenridge, CO with his wife, all his children, and grandchildren in July 2009. He loved Colorado and learned to snow ski at the age of 50. He enjoyed taking his family’s money in what started as a friendly game of poker. Bill was a very generous and kind man and had a great sense of humor. Bill loved the moon and passed that love on to his grandchildren. Every time there is a full moon it is “Grandpa’s Moon” and he often received phone calls from his grandchildren reminding him to go look at “his moon” when the moon was full. He was the VP of Washington Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors for KEMBA Credit Union for 13 years, active in St. Jude for 9 years serving with then Mayor Jim Maloof on numerous fund raisers, President of Cherry Tree Shopping Center Merchant Association, member of Illinois Valley Bass Anglers, Member of National Park Association, Peoria Santa Claus Parade and President and CEO of the SS Club after the death of his brother, John. The new President will be voted upon in the near future. The family would like to send a special thank you to Dr Richard Corley, Dr Ben Pflederer, and Nurse Vicky for their special care and attention given to Bill over the years. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10 am, Thursday, December 17, 2009 at St Patricks Catholic Church in Washington, with a committal service to follow at the Meadow Valley Center in Washington. Father Paul Meismer will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Wednesday, December 16 at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in Washington.

William J. Emhoff

August 19, 1940 - December 12, 2009