William Dale “Bill” Kirts, 67, of Rossville, IL, passed away at 2:15 P.M. Saturday May 4, 2024, at OSF HealthCare Transitional Care Hospital in Peoria, IL. He was born May 1, 1957, in Danville, IL, the son of Dwayne Kirts and Ruby (Eads) Kelnhofer. He married Aileen “Bernie” McCabe on September 24, 1984, in Bradley, IL. She survives in Rossville.
He is also survived by two daughters, Bridget Conn of Hoopeston, IL and Billie Kirts (Stephen Daily) of Hoopeston, IL; two sisters, Brenda (Larry) Moles of Dewey, AZ and Sandy Hessian of Hoopeston, IL; one brother, Paul (Angie) Kelnhofer of Wellington, IL; one sister-in-law, Debbie Buloc of Manchester, GA; two grandsons, Max and Jake Conn; and seven nieces and nephews, Jennifer Kirts, Dwayne Kirts, Lisa Lacey, Seth Lacey, Jessie Watson, Chris Kelnhofer, and Julie Allison.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Velber and Clara Jane Eads; parents; and brother, Allen Kirts.
Bill was a laborer for Local 751 in Kankakee until his retirement. He served in the United States Marines Corp. from 1974- 1976. He was the band leader and founding member of the Greely Wit Band. Bill enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, and mowing. In his younger years, he enjoyed attending concerts with his friends. Bill also loved coaching baseball and enjoyed watching racing and women’s college softball.
Visitation will be held 5:00- 8:00 P.M. Thursday May 9, 2024, at Anderson Funeral Home, 427 E. Main St. Hoopeston, IL. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday May 10, 2024, at the funeral home with Pastor Adam Taubert officiating. Burial will follow in Floral Hill Cemetery in Hoopeston, with military rites being accorded.
Memorial donations may be made in memory of Bill to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place • Memphis, TN 38105 or to Bill’s family.
Please visit www.anderson-funeral-home.com to view Bill’s eternal tribute page and to send the family condolences.
Anderson Funeral Home in Hoopeston is handling the arrangements.
