Arthur James “Art” Kelnhofer, 68, of Hoopeston, IL, passed away at 9:02 P.M. Monday December 3, 2018 at his home. He was born March 15, 1950, in Danville, IL, the son of Herbert Roy and Nettie Naomi (Dean) Kelnhofer. He married Kristi Ann Ellis on June 1, 1968, at St Anthony Catholic Church in Hoopeston. She survives in Hoopeston, IL.
He is also survived by three daughters, Joy K. Smith of Beaufort, SC, Joanna L. Kelnhofer (Scott Lewis) of Beaufort, SC, and Jeanne M. (David) Willingham of Beaufort, SC; four sisters, Regina K. Sollars of Centennial, CO, Mary Ann (Rick) Kincade of Mt. Pleasant, WI, Sherry L. (Rick) Hayn of Hoopeston, IL, and Christy J. Wood (Dave Miller) of Watseka, IL; 9 grandchildren, Miranda Smith, Caitlyn Smith, Kelsey Kelnhofer, Alexis Kelnhofer, Haley Wright, McCayla Willingham, and Collin Willingham all of Beaufort, SC; Brianna Kelnhofer (Kyle Looney) of Bluffton, SC and Christopher Willingham of Cherry Point, NC; one great-grandchild, Kaden Looney of Bluffton, SC; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and twin sons, Herbert Roy and Dale Curtis Kelnhofer.
Art served in the United States Marine Corps. for 21 years as a maintenance aircraft officer. After his retirement from the service, he was a press operator at the Beaufort Gazette for several years. He enjoyed tinkering on cars with his Dad, watching the TV classics, and spending time with is family especially his grandchildren.
A visitation will be held 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Monday December 10, 2018 at Anderson Funeral Home 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will follow the visitation and will begin at 1:00 PM Monday at the funeral home, with Steve Unger officiating. Burial will follow at Mann’s Chapel in rural Rossville, IL. Military rites will be accorded by the Hoopeston American Legion Post #384.
Memorials may be made in Art’s memory to the Hoopeston Animal Shelter 901 W. Main St. Hoopeston, IL 60942, the Save the Lorraine Foundation c/o Iroquois Federal, 511 S. Chicago Rd, Hoopeston, IL 60942 or online at www.savethelorraine.com, or the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter 207 W. Prospect Road, Suite 1, Bloomington, IL 61704.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Art’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
